Fighting (dog)
Dog-fight Charge Filed
November 2, 2001
DELAND -- The State Attorney's Office has decided to charge a 25-year-old DeLand man with a misdemeanor after authorities said he was spotted attending a dogfight in DeLand. Jimmie Nealy of 351 W. Napoleon Drive is accused of "attending the fighting or baiting of animals" between two pit bull dogs in the 600 block of South Garfield Avenue on Aug. 20. According to a police report, a plainclothes DeLand Police detective witnessed the fight in which two men used ropes and chains to encourage the dogs to fight in front of a crowd. After the detective called for backup units, someone spotted him and the group fled, leaving one injured dog behind, the report said. Before the crowd left, the detective took photos of Nealy and one of the men. Felony charges on the other man are pending, according to a spokeswoman for the State Attorney's office. According to state animal laws, Nealy could face a fine of up to $1,000.
