Chained, emaciated dogs found on property
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
City firefighters didn’t find any people on the property when they arrived at a burning Carver Avenue house last Friday afternoon, January 21. They did, however, find nearly a dozen non-human inhabitants in and around the blazing structure.
As the effort to quell the flames progressed, several pit bulls and mixed-breed bulldogs, most of them emaciated and heavily chained, were discovered in and around the otherwise vacant building.
“There were dogs on the front porch, dogs on the back porch, dogs in the yard,” said Capt. Daniel “Buddy” Love, AFD’s assistant chief. “There were probably 10 or more. They were everywhere you looked.”
Chief Ron Peebles said one dog was found dead inside the burning house, the others were “tied with log chains” outside it. Peebles directed all questions about the mistreated canines to Police Chief Chuck Brooks.
Brooks confirmed this week that APD investigators are looking into the matter but have not yet made an arrest. He did not divulge any details of the ongoing investigation.
AFD reports show that firemen were dispatched to 101 Carver Avenue at 3:16 p.m. They arrived two minutes later to find flames coming from the mostly wooden house, then spent more than 90 minutes gaining control of the situation before clearing the scene at 4:48 p.m.
“It was on fire, although it wasn’t fully engaged, when we got there,” said Love, who added that damage from fire, smoke and water was extensive. “I wouldn’t deem it a total loss, but there was major damage, especially to the back.”