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Sarasota Drug Raid Yields 14 Dogs, Abuse Charges

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By TODD RUGER

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

Investigators raiding a suspected drug house found 14 dogs in terrible condition, tied with heavy chains, suffering from untreated bite wounds and infested with worms and fleas, Sarasota County authorities said.

In a line of cages at the Sarasota County Animal Shelter on Monday, two of the dogs cowered in a corner.

Another dog, this one missing part of its muzzle and part of an ear, paced back and forth at the gate and barked at anyone who approached.

Those are the outward signs of damage, but the dogs also have suffered behavioral damage and likely will be euthanized. They will be put through a battery of tests as their owner heads to court on 34 charges, including drug possession, animal abuse and dogfighting, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said.

The owner, Thomas Spann, 27, posted bail and has been released from jail as he awaits trial. He is fighting for custody of two of the dogs.

The other 12 dogs are locked in the shelter, away from where the public can see them, and will go through a series of behavior tests.

A dog that gets aggressive when it is walked past another dog or when food is taken from it could be a liability to any family who adopts it, animal control officials said.

"If it fails, it wouldn't work in a regular house," said Tami Treadway, shelter supervisor. "Most of the people who come to shelters want a family pet. That's not what comes into a shelter like ours."

The dogs all appear to be at least part pit bull terrier.

The dogs were found late last week at 1735 Central Ave. in Sarasota.

Investigators say one puppy was in a wooden box with a 1-inch slit for ventilation. Another dog found in a box had a swollen, infected bite wound on its shoulder.

Five were confined with short, heavy chains, a condition that Treadway said can make a dog neurotic and ultradefensive of his territory.

Investigators say they found a bicycle tire hanging from a tree, an indication dogs were being trained to fight.

Spann told detectives he is a breeder of pit bull terriers, sheriff's office records state.

The Sarasota Police Department raided the house after a two-month investigation.

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