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Spotsylvania man indicted for dog fighting Date published: 7/21/2007
BY ELLEN BILTZ The underground world of dog fighting was brought to the nation's attention this week with the indictment of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, but the problem hits closer to home than some might imagine. "This is actually a big issue in Virginia," Spotsylvania County Animal Control Director William Tydings said. "We've had several cases in the past." In fact, a Spotsylvania man was indicted Monday in a dog-fighting case. Charles Timothy Lomax is a suspect in a pit-bull fighting ring, officials said. Tydings said Lomax isn't the first case in the county. Spotsylvania court records reveal at least two other incidents: Danny Fisher, who was convicted of dog fighting in April 2003, and Jackie Ellis, was convicted of animal abuse in a dog-fighting case in December 2002. Stafford's Chief Animal Control Officer Michael Null said his county had only one case of organized dog fighting, but said he did not consider it to be on the professional level. Victor Hamilton was convicted in January 2002 of promoting dog fighting in Stafford, according to court records. "I'm sure it's everywhere," Null said. "But around here, you see more of the amateur fighting, not like on the professional level that you find in more urban areas." Null said most cases in Stafford involve people who breed their dogs to be aggressive toward animals and humans. They did not involve professional training and wagering. Animal-control officers in Fredericksburg and King George, Culpeper and Westmoreland counties said they've never had any dog-fighting cases. Tydings said scars are one sign of abuse in dog-fighting cases he's investigated. "Sometimes they need medical treatment if the wounds are still fresh," he said. Spotsylvania Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Shaia said Monday's indictments were the second round of charges against Lomax. He now faces four misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and two felony charges of promoting or engaging in dog fighting. If convicted, Lomax could face up to 14 years in prison. "He had a lot of dogs there," Shaia said about Lomax's house on Grand Brooks Road near Lake Anna State Park.
Money can buy just about anything
Money can buy just about anything
Money can buy just about anything
i doubt that Vick will serve a long sentence or any sentence at all for that matter (maybe some fine and community service). Heck, he's still starting quarterback for the falcon's isn't he? if this is suppose to be a sport - then i just don't get it!
if this is the second offense for this guy, then obviously he wasn't deterred by his first conviction and the consequences obviously were not serious enough to stop him from doing it again. maybe this time he gets enough of a sentence to stop him.
This man was indicted in January '07 as well. Obviously his sentence/fine wasn't enough to stop him, and it's still paying off for him. He lived in my neighborhood in the 2005 incident, and moved shortly thereafter. I wonder if he'll stop now or move on to anothe neighborhood? I'm betting I see his name in the paper again soon.
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