By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer
The charges of animal cruelty against one of the three men involved in an alleged dogfighting ring were dismissed Friday in Laurel County Circuit Court at the request of the commonwealth.
A motion was made by Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele to have the first-degree cruelty to animals charge against Joe Lewis Jr. dismissed because he felt there wasn’t enough evidence to continue with the case.
Steele said even though Lewis was indicted on the charge in August, the case was still being investigated. That investigation found there was not sufficient evidence at this time to proceed with Lewis’ prosecution, Steele said.
Senior Judge Roderick Messer ordered that the charges be dismissed without prejudice, meaning if further investigation were to show a sufficient amount of evidence against Lewis, the charges could be brought up again in the future.
Lewis, along with his son, Joe Lewis III, and Dalton Brewer were present in court Friday. Messer set a pretrial conference for Lewis III and Brewer for Nov. 21 in Laurel County Circuit Court.
The men were charged after police were called out to an Adams Road residence in North Corbin in June to a complaint of dogfighting. When they arrived, officials say they found a pit bull tied to a tree which appeared to have been involved in fighting.
According to police, the men had allegedly caught a stray dog which they were using to train the pit bull for dogfighting. Police said both animals were wounded and needed to be helped from the scene.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a list of 67 dogs and several kennel names officials believe to be involved in dogfighting.
The charge of first-degree cruelty to animals is now a Class D felony. Lewis III and Brewer face one to five years in prison if convicted.
Local News
Laurel man's animal cruelty charges dismissed
Pretrial conference set for Nov. 21 for the two other men allegedly involved in dogfighting ring
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