Complaint of improper care leads to Plant City dog-fighting arrest

Neighbors say they knew there were dogs, lots of dogs, at 6901 W. Stafford Road near Plant City.

They knew they were pit bulls. But what Hillsborough County Animal Services investigators say neighbors may not have realized is that the property was home to a dog fighting operation.

"We just assumed he was maybe having puppies and a breeder," said Lara Turner, who lives next door.

Animal Services investigators raided the property on Monday after someone called to complain the animals were not receiving adequate food and water.

"I could physically see there were multiple dogs that were scarred up. You know this is indicative of dog fighting," said Cpl. Ken Vetzel, lead investigator on the case.

In all, detectives seized 13 adult pit bulls and one puppy from the home. They also arrested the dogs' owner, 30-year-old Raul Ortiz-Perez, and charged him with felony animal cruelty for dog-fighting, possession of dog-fighting equipment and improper confinement. Investigators say they found treadmills and chains used for training as well as other evidence at the home.

"There was you know documents outlining the rules for dog fighting, training and conditioning animals," Vetzel said.

A county veterinarian performed a brief physical examination on each of the dogs, weighing them, measuring any wounds or scars and documenting any other information that may be relevant to the criminal case. Officials say the sad reality of this case is that because these animals were allegedly bred for violence adoption is unlikely.

"This is not an animal you can put out into a neighborhood or subdivision with 'Mrs. Jones' and it escapes and attacks and kills someone else's dog or cat. All the liability comes back on us," Vetzel said.

Animal Services officials will begin the process of getting court-ordered custody of the animals, so that each of their futures can be decided.

Ortiz-Perez was being held today at Hillsborough County jail with bail set at $25,000, according to records.