Press Release

Accused Dogfighter, Cleveland Harris,
Walks on Felony Charges, Guilty of Cruelty Charges

NEW ORLEANS (4/17/07) - Despite overwhelming evidence indicating that thrice arrested Cleveland Harris, 4758 Evangeline Avenue, is a dogfighter, the Louisiana SPCA was extremely disheartened by Judge Benedict Willard’s ruling that allowed Harris to walk away with a non-guilty verdict in two separate dogfighting felony cases heard consecutively yesterday in Criminal District Court.

Evidence in the 2003 and 2005 cases included the following:

• Two “championship” awards presented to Mr. Harris by the Sporting Dog Journal, an underground dogfighting magazine which has not been published since its owner, James Jay Fricchione, was convicted of dogfighting and animal cruelty in 2004.
   

• Published results from dogfighting contests ranging from 1996 through 2002 in which Mr. Harris and his club, N.O. Dog Pound, were featured.
   

• Phone book with the names of legendary dogfighters such as Jay Fricchione and others were listed.
   

• An anabolic steroid (Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substance) found on the property. Steroids are used to bulk-up dogs and are illegal to possess without a prescription.
   

• Pain management medications and penicillin used to treat injuries to dogs.
   

• Multiple scarred dogs, one with a seriously damaged face and missing lip. Mr. Harris’ defense attorney, Frank Larre, suggested that the dog’s injuries were inflicted from hogs that were used for hogdogging before the sport was outlawed by the Louisiana Legislature. Experts testified that injuries from hogs result in “slashes” and are different from those inflicted by dogs (e.g. puncture wounds). Experts testified that Mr. Harris’ dogs’ injuries are consistent with those resulting from dogfighting.
   

• Custom-made dog-sized treadmill, which is used for conditioning fighting dogs.
   

• Custom-made breeding stand, which is used for breeding aggressive dogs.
   

• Break-sticks, which are typically about 8"-14" long, and are used to separate or “part” a dog’s jaws that are locked onto another dog or animal. The “break-stick” can be made of many materials and is inserted into the back jaw of the dog and turned to force the mouth open.
   

• Blood spattered wood kennels where dogs were kept.
   

• Video tapes of Mr. Harris’ dogs in the fighting pit, which were viewed by LA/SPCA Executive Director, Laura Maloney and Humane Law Enforcement Director, Kathryn Destreza, before the storm, but were destroyed in the evidence room during Hurricane Katrina. The tapes were not viewable, but the LA/SPCA testified to the contents of the tapes.

Judge Willard found Mr. Harris guilty on 16 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in the 2003 case and eight counts of cruelty for the 2005 case in these non-Jury trials. Mr. Harris was not held accountable for possessing a Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substance despite the irrefutable fact that the drug was on the premises.

“To issue such a light sentence on cruelty charges in a case with such strong evidence of dogfighting is sadly indicative of the imbalanced state of affairs in animal cruelty cases. Dogfighting is a horrible crime and one day we hope to see convictions based on evidence with punishment equal to the severity of the crime,” says Executive Director Laura Maloney.

Kathryn Destreza, LA/SPCA Director of Humane Law Enforcement, added “Karen Calderon, Orleans Parish Assistant District Attorney, and Loyola Clinic Law Student, Ian MacLaren, fought hard and did an excellent job presenting the case. We appreciate their dogged determination in prosecuting crimes against animals.”

Charges and verdicts are as follows:

# # #

The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the homelessness, neglect and abuse that signal animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the highest standards of care and compassion.

Back to News & Press Releases