Two men plead not guilty to hosting a dog fight in Lombard
Two young Lombard men pleaded not guilty Monday to hosting a dogfight, as their parents fight for the return of the pet pit bulls at the center of the charges.
Robert G. Kollman, 21, of the 300 block of North Grace, and Brian A. Moll, 22, of the 100 block of South Lombard, were arraigned on the felony charge, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison.
Police said they were called to Kollman's home at 2:45 a.m. May 23 and discovered the two dogs fighting before a small crowd of people. Officers intervened before the two pit bulls - Rampage, who is owned by Kollman, and Ace, who belongs to Moll - were seriously injured.
The indictment alleges the defendants "knowingly conducted for purposes of entertainment, a show, involving a fight between dogs." The animals are doing well at the DuPage County Animal Control Shelter, officials said.
In court Monday, prosecutor Mary K. Cronin filed an additional misdemeanor dogfighting charge against both men. She also asked DuPage Circuit Judge Peter J. Dockery to impose a $10 a day fee for the pit bulls' care.
Kollman's attorney, George P. Kallas, said authorities overreacted. He said Kollman was hosting a party when the two dogs began fighting on their own. Kallas said police did not find any of the usual evidence of a dogfight, such as dog pens, treadmills, chains, weights, medicine, bait animals or promotional materials.
Kallas said Rampage belongs to Kollman's mother. The attorney said she is desperately trying to get Rampage back - a move prosecutors are fighting. She also wants to be allowed to visit the dog at the shelter.
Moll's father said Monday he also wants his dog back. Both parents deny knowledge of an organized dogfight.
Police said a resident called 911 early May 23 after hearing sounds of dogs fighting. They said Kollman's parents were out of town. Officers arrived to find about a half-dozen people standing in the backyard watching the dogs fight. Rather than intervening, police said, the defendants were egging on both dogs to keep fighting.
Authorities had to subdue the pit bulls with a Taser. The dogs were treated by a 24-hour veterinarian.
Moll remains held in the DuPage County jail on a $20,000 bond. Kollman was set free one day after his arrest after posting the required 10 percent of his $10,000 bond.
A DuPage County grand jury indicted both men last week. Prosecutors also charged them with contributing to the delinquency of minors on suspicion people younger than 21 were drinking beer at the gathering.