The Associated Press
A Gary firefighter faces 26 charges that he ran a dogfighting operation on his property, where police officers last month reported finding six dead pit bulls and 16 injured and starving dogs.
Prosecutors charged Carlton Davis Jr., 33, on Tuesday with felony counts of promoting or staging an animal-fighting contest and buying or possessing an animal for a fighting contest.
The seven-year fire department veteran surrendered to police several hours after the charges were announced, with his defense attorney saying he was innocent of the allegations.
Officers on May 29 reported finding the pit bulls, bloody collars, a small treadmill and a six-week workout schedule on property belonging to Davis just outside Gary, police said. The live pit bulls were reported in bad condition, with injuries consistent with dogfighting, and some were dehydrated or starving.
Officials said the dogfights could have generated $2,000 to $10,000 each.