Chatham-Kent police say a fifth person has been charged related to an alleged dog fighting ring in Tilbury.
In October of 2015, a joint investigation between the Chatham-Kent police and the Ontario SPCA resulted in the execution of multiple search warrants at an address on Morris Line.
The investigation resulted in four people being arrested and over 300 charges laid under the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Dog Owner’s Liability Act.
On Wednesday, as a result of the ongoing investigation, police arrested Robert Tomlin, 32, of Kent Bridge.
He’s charged with cruelty to animals - causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal and;
cruelty to animals - encourages, aids or assists in the fighting or baiting of animals.
As a result of the circumstances surrounding the arrest, two search warrants were authorized under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act for two properties in the Kent Bridge area which led to the seizure of seven Pitbull type dogs, which are prohibited in Ontario.
The dogs are being housed outside of Chatham-Kent.
“As with any investigation, each animal is assessed individually,” says OSPCA senior inspector Jennifer Bluhm. “The society will be working with experts in animal behaviour that specialize in dog fighting dogs to ensure the needs identified by the experts are addressed for each of these dogs.”
Tomlin has been released with conditions pending a future court date of March 22.
