Virginia Rebstock Loupe
December 10, 2013Review: Admin writes 80% of Laf. legislation
December 11, 2013
Lightning raids on three Gibson homes last week led to three arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs, guns and cash.
They also resulted in the seizure of 35 dogs allegedly being trained for fighting, all of which were euthanized before the new week began.
An additional two dogs – described as hounds – were also seized. Since they were not suspected of being involved with fighting the hounds are still being held at the Terrebonne Parish animal shelter.
The dogs were destroyed pursuant to a state law, which governs the disposition of dogs suspected of use in fighting, authorities said. Attorneys for the owners of the dogs said they are looking into the circumstances and trying to find out more, but that their clients are distressed that the dogs were destroyed without the owners being given an opportunity to plead for their lives.
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter described the raid as a major bust, yielding more than $2 million worth of marijuana, powdered cocaine and crack cocaine, along with Xanax and Hydrocodone tablets.
“This is the poison these people are distributing to the people of our parish who have addictions,” Larpenter said, as reporters and photographers looked over piles of neatly-packaged marijuana described as high-grade, hydroponically raised, and small plastic bags containing an estimated one ounce each of powdered cocaine. “We are certain this poison was intended for sale right here in Terrebone Parish.”
Arrested were Isaac Allridge Jr., 55, 5252 North Bayou Black Drive, Sheila Ruffin, 56, 5290 North Bayou Drive and Kendrick Ruffin, 23, 115 J.R. Court in Gibson. A fourth suspect, DeQuinton Ruffin, 25, turned himself in to authorities Monday. Sheila is a cousin to DeQuinton and Kendrick, who are brothers.
All have been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, illegal possession of firearms while in possession of illegal narcotics, failure to possess drug tax stamps and dog fighting.
Larpenter said that the parish’s animal control division had been working with deputies on elements of the investigation for three or four weeks.
“Officers had gotten an opinion from animal control about signs that many of these animals had what appeared to be previous signs of dog fighting, signs on their bodies such as injuries,” Larpenter said. “Evidence that was found included syringes, steroids, multi-bottles of pills for antibiotics and dog-fighting ledgers. The law, which deals with fighting animals, is intended to keep them from going back on the street once they are detained, because of their vicious nature. With the advice of animal control everybody agreed the best thing to do was to euthanize these dogs. It was a joint decision, due to the history. We hate to see it. Most of us are animal lovers.”
Larpenter said the owners of the now-deceased dogs might have difficulty making the same claim.
“You are not an animal lover when you are injecting it with an illegal substance to make it meaner and make it bite and fight to the end,” Larpenter said. “That is not an animal lover. We are still looking into the dog fighting, we are still looking into the evidence and we are still looking into the circumstances.”
Thibodaux attorney Matthew Ory, who represents Kendrick Ruffin, said he is still looking into the circumstances surrounding the arrests. He is puzzled by the decision that was made to put the dogs to death.
“The clients are extremely upset and would love to know what the reasoning was,” Ory said. “I am kind of shocked to say the least.”
Houma attorney Timothy Ellender Jr., who represents DeQuinton Ruffin, said he has also been asked to look into the circumstances surrounding destruction of the animals.
“It has given them some pause, that these animals were summarily euthanized without the opportunity to discuss the proper disposition of these animals,” Ellender said. “They are extremely upset and would love to know what the reasoning was.”
Officers, several wearing camouflage uniforms and armed with assault rifles, knocked down a wooden fence surrounding the compound on the banks of Bayou Black shortly after 7:00 a.m. Friday, driving a heavy-duty truck onto the property.
Sharon Ruffin, mother of Kendrick and DeQuinton, who lives in Morgan City, said the allegations surprise her. ”I don’t know what to say right now. It’s all in God’s hands.”
She said it is possible that someone in a position of authority may have rescued at least some of the youngest puppies, who numbered seven. At least two of them, based on the account she received, were among the dogs euthanized.
Terrebonne animal control director Valerie Robinson confirmed that 35 dogs were euthanized. She would not speak to specifics about ages of the dogs.
Louisiana is among states that allows for immediate “humane euthanizing” of animals involved in fighting. The statute says that a law enforcement officer may request that someone qualified to do so take that action. Such animals, under state law, are considered contraband. Officers and animal control personnel, the law says, are immune from civil liability.
Diane Balkin, a contract attorney with the criminal justice program of the California-based Animal Legal Defense Fund, said she is concerned about how broadly the state statute may have been applied in this case, though she lacked enough information to offer an informed opinion.
“When you have a case with 35 dogs, ideally each and every dog should be evaluated to determine come under the intent of that statute as it applies to them,” Balkin said.
Thirty-seven pit bulls, including 35 pups, were seized by Terrebonne sheriff’s deputies after raids on three Gibson homes. Four people were jailed after drugs, guns and cash were retrieved.
