By Melanie Ruberti

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

 HOGANSVILLE – Members of several law enforcement agencies discovered injured animals and items used to run a dog fighting ring at two separate homes in Hogansville on Tuesday.

The houses, located in the 100 block of Woodard Road and the 400 block South Lee Street, were allegedly used by the same man, identified as Travis Demetrius Cameron, of Grantville, according to the Troup County Marshal’s Office.

When law enforcement officers arrived to the home on Woodard Road, they found two pit bulls wandering in the street, a scale hanging from a shed, bottle of medicine used to treat injured animals, a muzzle, syringe, syringe wrappers and black treadmill, according to the report.

Officials also discovered a “slat mill,” similar to a tread mill, which is used to condition a dog for stamina and build up their leg strength, the report stated.

The pit bulls found at the Woodard home also had several wounds on them associated with dog fighting, officers stated.

Law enforcement officials and LaGrange – Troup County Animal Control officers relocated to the house in the 400 block of South Lee Street and discovered more dogs – all who appeared to be emaciated, the report read. None of the dogs had any food; only a few had clean water.

Officers also found more medicine typically used to treat open wounds on an animal, a syringe, a needle, several pairs of pliers located inside a pen to secure chains around the dog’s necks, leashes, and what appeared to be a homemade “break stick,” according to the report. Break sticks are allegedly used to pry open a pit bull’s jaw after the dog bites down on an object, animal or human being, officers explained.

Law enforcement officials also discovered a set of bones near a wooden dog house, the report stated.

All the evidence and 12 pit bulls were removed from both homes, stated Chief Lonza Edmondson with the Troup County Marshal’s Office.

The dogs were taken to the LaGrange – Troup County Animal Shelter where they were given food and water, the report stated.

The pit bulls were also checked out by a veterinarian whom found many of the animals were emaciated, covered in burns and also had wounds associated with dog fighting, according to the report.

One dog had a broken nose; another was missing a portion of its muzzle, officials said.

The Troup County Marshal’s Office issued arrest warrants for Cameron, said Edmondson. The man is being charged with 12 counts of dog fighting and 12 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

The animals were impounded by the Marshal’s Office because they were subject to animal cruelty, did not receive humane care and were used for dog fighting, Edmondson said.

Cameron has five days from Wednesday to request a custody of animal hearing, he added.

Members of the Troup County Sheriff Office, Troup County Marshal’s Office, LaGrange Animal Services and Pardons and Parole participated in seizing the dogs and the evidence from both homes.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She can be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.