Three North Point residents have been arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges, Baltimore County police said, after officers raided a townhouse and found evidence of dogfighting and steroids and exercise gear designed to give the animals added strength and stamina.
Police Chief James W. Johnson said that officers executed search warrants Thursday aimed at a suspected drug operation in the townhouse in the 7500 block of Lange St. and found not only indications that drugs were being sold but evidence that pointed to dogfighting.
"They also recovered three highly aggressive pit bulls that were living there and were owned by one of these people," Johnson said. The animals, which he said showed signs of having been injured, were taken by Baltimore County Animal Control officers, with whom they remain.
Johnson said there was blood on some walls, suggesting that dogfights had taken place in the house. Also found were weights, chains, collars and a treadmill that he said was used to train the animals.
Michael Eckert, 25, and Romy Bogier, 28, were arrested Friday, a day after the search, police said. Johnson said Bogier was the owner of the dogs.
Nicole Marie Caruso, 26, turned herself in Monday at the North Point precinct, said Lt. Robert McCullough, a police spokesman.
Eckert, Bogier and Caruso were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and cruelty to animals, police said, and were being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
None had been charged with dogfighting, a felony that carries a penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Neighbors have long complained about fighting between rivals - Johnson declined to call them gang members - in the 7500 block of Lange St., near the intersection of Merritt Boulevard and North Point Road.
"These two groups had caused disorder for months," Johnson said. "Fighting, threatening each other, violent attacks against each other."
Johnson said officers had heard complaints that the dogs had bitten area residents, but the notion that organized dogfighting was taking place arose only when the house was searched.
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