Unsung Heroes in Major U.S. Dog-fighting Bust
News outlets across the nation were abuzz this past February when it was announced that Pima County Sheriff deputies and the FBI executed a major raid on one of the largest fight-dog operations in the United States, seizing at least 150 dogs and making three arrests of dog breeders suspected of links to organized dog-fighting operations across the nation. Not as well publicized, much of the information enabling the arrests originated in Burbank, Illinois and was collected and pursued by the Chicago Police Department’s Animal Crimes Unit.
Mid-July last year, the Burbank Police Department stopped a vehicle carrying seven dogs on South Cicero Avenue. Without an animal expert on staff, Burbank reached out to Chicago’s Animal Crimes Unit. When James Conlan and Thomas Barker responded to the scene, they immediately recognized that further investigation was needed. They secured felony charges against the driver and passenger, Brian Baley and Tony Self, well-known and trusted couriers of specially bred dogs for the dog-fighting community, who were held without bond at the Cook County Jail.
After skillful interrogations by the Cook County Sheriff’s police, Brian Degenhardt, and James Conlan at Cook County Jail, it was evident that the Burbank PD has unwittingly uncovered a nation-wide dogtrafficking transportation system. Baley would pick up dogs from O’Hare Airport and house them in southside safe houses. He also made frequent trips to New York’s LaGuardia Airport. After funds were received for the dogs, he would personally deliver them to the residence of a well-know dog-fighter in Pima County Arizona.
Conlan and Degenhardt made contact with the Pima County Sheriff’s office, providing information with sufficient probable cause that they could initiate their own surveillance. The Pima County Sheriff detective was able to execute two search warrants.
The Raid
On February 19, a coordinated effort by SWAT team, Animal Control, and the FBI raided four separate properties simultaneously in Tucson, Arizona. Six people were arrested and indicted on a total of 69 felony and misdemeanor counts, allegedly operating the dog-fighting ring for the past eight years in Pima County. The primary culprit, Mahlon Patrick, had been involved in dog-fighting since the 70s and was known worldwide for originating two blood lines, going by the names Tombstone and Bolio. Regarded as one of the top three breeders of fighting dogs in the country, his dogs ranged in price from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
All total, law enforcement recovered more than 150 dogs, $10,000 in cash, and 60 firearms, varying from revolvers to assault-type guns. Investigators also suspect ties to organized crime.
The Victims
At least ten of the dogs required immediate medical attention for foot infections resulting from standing in their own waste and others showed signs of fighting, including scars on their faces, necks and front legs, signs of a poorly healed broken jaw, and missing teeth. One timid neutered male dog with substantial scarring licked investigators hands when they approached his kennel, which showed signs that bebe pellets were fired at him to torment the poor pup. Dog-fighting paraphernalia, such as a rape-stand and training equipment such as treadmills, were also confiscated.
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Chicagoans of the Year 2007
This past January, PAWS Chicago’s founder Paula Fasseas was added to the list of highly regarded Chicago activists who have been honored with one of Chicago’s most respected awards: Chicago magazine’s Chicagoan of the year.
Charlie Trotter, Kathleen Casey, Marca Bristo, Kendall Ciesemier, Haki Madhubuti, Modesto Valle and Paula Fasseas.
In addition to the luncheon at the Four Seasons on January 24th, Fasseas and this year’s other recipients were recognized with a feature in the January issue of Chicago magazine, a video documentary on each of their achievements that aired on CLTV throughout December and January and a $1,000 contribution to their favorite charity from the Chicago Tribune
Foundation.
Each year since 1994, Chicago has honored a handful of people whose actions have changed life in the region for the better. This year we honor a champion of the disabled, an African American publisher, a world-renowned chef, a mother who turned loss into hope, a lifesaving animal lover, a kid helping other kids, and a longtime advocate of tolerance and diversity. At a January luncheon at the Four Seasons, Chicago will celebrate the achievements of these seven remarkable individuals and reward them each with a $1,000 donation from the Chicago Tribune Foundation for the charity of their choice.
In her article, Jennifer Wehunt wrote: “It’s like a scene out of Snow White—if Snow White had an MBA. As Paula Fasseas prowls the new PAWS adoption center, downy hounds lick her fingertips and skinny kittens twine around her ankles. It almost seems as if they know that Fasseas, the founder and chair of Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS), is the best friend Chicago’s homeless animals have.”
This year’s honorees also include Charlie Trotter, Kathleen Casey, Marca Bristo, Kendall Ciesemier, Haki Madhubuti and Modesto Valle.
Congratulations to all of these wonderful Chicagoans for their many achievements. We would like to thank each of them for their continued efforts to make Chicago a better place for all.
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Animal Magnetism 2008
More than 400 guests and their pets gathered under the twinkling chandeliers of Galleria Marchetti on February 8th for a mid-winter night’s dream—PAWS Chicago’s second annual Animal Magnetism. The committee outdid themselves, raising more than $90,000—a record-setting event for the Professional Board—in only the second year. Sponsored by North Community Bank, Rogers & Hollands Jewelers, Galleria Marchetti, Chicago magazine and Anthos Flowers, guests enjoyed an extraordinary variety of music and live media presentation courtesy of fig media, inc. and chic cocktails from Hpnotiq and PAMA pomegranate liqueur.
Special thanks goes to co-chairs Ashley Walter and Jim McGinnis and honorary chair Ela Booty.
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