By JESSICA DAIGLE

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE — A Montz man has been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals after pit bull terriers and evidence of dog fighting was seized from his residence.

Victor Thomas, 61, of 130 Zack Thomas Lane, was booked with three counts of possession of dogs for fighting, 10 counts of cruelty to animals, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation also found that none of the pit bulls were registered, as required by law, nor were any inoculated for rabies. Thomas was charged accordingly.

According to St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne, deputies arrived at Thomas’s home on May 16, and were granted permission by Thomas to search his property.

Officers seized 10 dogs that appeared unhealthy and “permanently tethered.” Also, a dog treadmill and a bite tire, two items commonly used to train dogs for fighting, were found on the property.

An evaluation by a staff veterinarian showed some of the dogs had injuries and developments consistent with dog fighting. Champagne also said documents were found indicating dog-fighting and gambling.

Champagne said seven of the 10 dogs have since been euthanized.

After the sheriff’s department obtained an arrest warrant, Thomas was arrested ten days later. He is presently in Nelson Coleman Correctional Center with a bond set at $66,000 by Judge St. Pierre.

Also wanted in connection with this incident is Thomas’s son, Brandon J. Thomas, same address.

In another animal cruelty case, St. Charles Parish officers executed a search warrant on May 26 in New Sarpy at the residence of Derwin Walker, 917 E. Lawson St, after a tip was called in to report dog fighting.

The search resulted in the seizure of 12 pit bull terriers, 543 grams of marijuana, 8.5 grams of crack cocaine, two firearms, and dog fighting paraphernalia.

Walker was not home at the time of the search, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The 12 pit bulls were afflicted with wounds consistent with dog fighting.

“It was disturbing,” Champagne said, “Some of the dogs there were in even worse condition than the first case.”

No connections have been found between these two cases, said Champagne.

Champagne said that anyone in the public with knowledge of a situation similar to these should report it to authorities.

Recently, there has been a rash of arrests in south Louisiana involving dog fighting, with even a man know as the “Godfather” or “Kingpin” of the world of dog-fighting recently being arrested at his residence in Broussard.

“We’re happy that we got these,” Champagne said, “but this is a problem that is bigger than we ever thought it was.”

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Brandon Thomas or Derwin Walker should contact the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 783-6807.