The LaGrange Police Department is investigating two dog fighting cases in the city limits, and at this point officers say they appear to be unrelated.

In the first case, Tobias Mikel Anderson, 22, was arrested March 6 on eight charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, one charge of cruelty to animals and failure to appear in West Point. The case was first investigated on Jan. 30 after a LPD officer found a dog that was illegally tethered on a heavy logging chain at Anderson’s residence, according to LaGrange Animal Services Supervisor Chris Bussey. 

“One of night shift officers discovered the dog on another call for service. He heard the dog howling in the backyard and he picked the dog up that night,” Bussey said.  

After that night, the special investigations unit took control of the case and found evidence of dog fighting and seven to eight deceased animals on the property, Bussey said. The deceased animals were sent off for a necropsy. The dogs found on the property showed signs of starvation, Bussey said. All of the animals were pit bulls.

“We are still investigating the aspects of dog fighting,” Bussey said.

In the second case, Rakeem Detorio Mondez McCamey was arrested on four counts of dog fighting and two counts of cruelty to animals. 

Bussey said the Troup County Marshals Service and LaGrange Police Department each had investigations into McCamey. 

Four pit bills were taken from two houses, one in the city limits and three from a home in the county.

“The scars on the animals were consistent with dog fighting,” Bussey said.

Bussey said these are the first two dog fighting cases he’s aware of in the city limits in his 12 years as animal services supervisor in LaGrange.

“The Troup County Marshals, the LaGrange Police Department and LaGrange Animal Services take investigating animal crimes seriously,” Bussey said. “If anyone suspects animal abuse or dog fighting they can call the LaGrange Police Department, Troup County Marshals, LaGrange Animal Services or call 911.” 

McCamey is currently in the Troup County Jail with a $60,000 bond. Anderson is also still in the Troup County Jail with a bond totaling $90,000.