US Animal Protection.Org Newsletter

"The United States Animal Protection organization has been instrumental in gaining national recognition for the vast numbers of animals currently being destroyed in animal shelters nationwide."
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Dogfighting case spurs new Woods home search
Officers with the Oregon Humane Society and Clackamas County remove objects from the Blazer player's house

Saturday, October 16, 2004

EMILY TSAO
LAKE OSWEGO -- The Oregon Humane Society, operating under special law enforcement authority, returned to the home of professional basketball player Qyntel Woods on Friday to search for evidence of dog fighting.

Authorities removed a half-dozen objects about the size and shape of a door and wrapped in butcher paper.

"We found what we were looking for," said Joel Manley, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, which assisted in the search. He declined to be more specific.

Woods, who was suspended Tuesday from the Portland Trail Blazers, was at home but did not respond when reporters came to the door. Authorities said their investigation is continuing, and Woods has not been charged in the case.

Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson said in a prepared statement that Woods remains suspended from the team. "If further steps are needed, we will not hesitate to take them," he said in response to Friday's search.

The Oregon Humane Society and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office also searched Woods' home on Monday. Documents detailing what was found in the searches have been sealed by the Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Under a standing directive from the governor, Humane Society investigators have full police authority to assist in cases of animal cruelty.

The Humane Society also participated in a raid this week at a farmhouse in the Vancouver area, where 21 pit bulls were recovered. Lt. Randy Covey of the Oregon Humane Society said Friday that he was not aware of any connection between Woods and the Vancouver case.

Three years ago, the Humane Society of the United States created the National Illegal Animal Fighting Task Force to investigate illegal dog fighting, which the society estimates involves 40,000 people nationwide.

The task force monitors illegal activity, provides local law enforcement with insight into dog fighting, assists in investigations and advocates animal protection laws, said John Goodwin, an investigator for the Humane Society of the United States.

In the Vancouver case, the Humane Society provided a thick file of investigators' notes, criminal court files and newspaper clippings concerning the suspect. The materials helped Clark County prepare for the Tuesday raid.

Eduardo J. Ribaya, 52, was not home when officers arrived. Well-known to animal protection groups, Ribaya was convicted in 1995 in what authorities called the West's biggest known dog-fighting event. On Friday, Ribaya was still being sought for questioning.

One of the officers in the Vancouver raid had been trained by the Humane Society to find tell-tale signs of dog fighting, said Robert Reder, regional director of the Pacific Northwest office for the national group.

"The thrust of this (training) is to get them to take this seriously," said Reder, a former police officer who works in Seattle.

Authorities found a photo of pit bulls attacking a live boar, dog-fighting magazines, veterinary medications and equipment that could be used to train fighting dogs.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to call 503-723-4949 with any information in the Qyntel Woods case. For tips on the Vancouver case, call 360-696-8148.

The sheriff's office also is trying to locate other dogs owned by Woods.

According to a Clackamas County Dog Control report released Thursday, Woods in April registered five pit bulls: Hollywood, Brock, Gangsta, Sugar and BB. Officials have refused to say how many of the dogs are missing.

According to Clackamas County Animal Control records, neighbors called twice in January to complain about animal neglect on Woods' property.

Two months later, animal control received an anonymous call that seven pit bulls had been left outside without food or water and that two small dogs had been eaten by larger dogs.

Brad Schmidt and Allan Brettman of The Oregonian contributed to this report. Emily Tsao: 503-294-5928; emilytsao@news.oregonian.com

USAPE officials further want to see the release of Spalding County Animal Shelter's animals pending a pitbull fighting and cruelty case and a court date set for the convicted felon being held for his involvement. He still walks free after more than three years of delays and postponements. Please assist us in writing letters requesting the release of these animals.

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