Killing Of Florida Racing Dogs Widespread

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- Joanna Toms

[voicesforRahkim] - Killing Of Florida Racing Dogs Widespread

http://www.local6.com/news/3034107/detail.htmlKilling Of Florida Racing Dogs WidespreadBAY MINETTE, Ala. -- Robert Leroy Rhodes was known all over Florida forkilling greyhounds for $10 apiece if they were too old or ill to race,investigators testified.Bryan Wall and Jim Barnes, investigators for the Florida Division ofPari-Mutuel Wagering, testified at a hearing Thursday that dog kennel ownersand trainers sent greyhounds to Rhodes' farm in Lillian, where Rhodes shotthe dogs through the head with a .22-caliber rifle.Barnes testified that dog owners found the service attractive because the$10-per-animal cost was about half what a veterinarian would charge toeuthanize the dogs. Baldwin County Sheriff's Capt. Huey "Hoss" Mack Jr. testified that Rhodesadmitted to killing between 2,000 and 3,000 greyhounds over a

40-yearperiod."This case shows what was going on in the greyhound-racing industry inFlorida," Baldwin District Attorney David Whetstone said after the hearing."It opens up the eyes to how sinister it was."Thursday's hearing dealt with John Wilson Smith, one of four dog owners ortrainers in Florida charged under Alabama's animal cruelty law. Smith'sattorney, Deidre Lee, asked Baldwin County Circuit Judge Robert Wilters todismiss the case.Lee said almost all of the evidence against her client comes from statementsinvestigators obtained from Rhodes, who died last year, and co-defendantClarence Patterson, whom authorities have been unable to locate.Baldwin authorities are seeking to prosecute two others for paying Rhodes tokill washed-up greyhounds -- Ursula O'Donnell and Paul Discolo Jr. Theirattorneys have made similar motions to dismiss the charges.Joanna TomsCruelty Caseworkerwww.pet-abuse.com jtoms @ pet-abuse.com (remove 2 spaces)717-404-7199Toll Free Crime Line: 866-240-1179 Let Us Know About It ! - http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/caseinfo.phpSearch Database - http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/abusers.php"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, butbecause of those who look on and do nothing.",- Albert Einstein

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