Man pleads innocent to dog fighting

A Beach Park man pleaded not guilty to charges he was running a dog fighting operation in the basement of his rented home.

Anthony Brown, 24, also faces drug and weapons charges stemming from the July 12 raid on his home at 12700 Chapin Road.

Assistant State's Attorney Rod Drobinski said Lake County sheriff's police were called to the house because of reports of a foul odor.

Once inside, deputies found 16 pit bulls in cages without food or water, and a blood-splattered fighting ring in the basement, Drobinksi said.

Many of the dogs were covered with cuts and scars, Drobinski said, and 10 eventually had to be euthanized.

Police also found illegal animal steroids and other drugs related to dog fighting in the house, Drobinksi said. A handgun was found in a concealed panel in a wall, he said.

Brown, who has felony convictions for robbery and aggravated battery, was charged with being an armed habitual criminal for possessing the weapon.

He is also charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, dog fighting and unlawful possession of controlled substances.

Brown is held in the Lake County jail on $50,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 20.