South Philly man held on dogfighting charges

A man charged with organizing pitbull dog fights was held for court on all charges after a preliminary hearing, the Pennsylvania Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) announced today.

A judge upheld 13 charges of animal fighting against Carlton Lane, 39, of the 2200 block of Mifflin Street, at a preliminary hearing last week.

Lane was charged on Dec. 11, weeks after PSPCA officers entered Lane’s South Philly home and “discovered eight puppies and five adult dogs along with paraphernalia of dog fighting, including treadmills and spring poles,” according to a statement released by the PSPCA.

The dogs also reportedly had scars consistent with fighting injuries, according to the PSPCA.

“A preliminary hearing is used to determine whether the Commonwealth has sufficient evidence to go to trial on the charges. The judge clearly felt we did,” said Rebecca Glenn-Dinwoodie, Director of Humane Litigation at the PSPCA. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the District Attorney’s office in putting on the case at trial.”

The Philadelphia Police Department first notified the PSPCA on Oct. 28 about suspicious activity at Lane’s house after they were tipped off by a neighbor.

Lane’s court records list a 2001 arrest for robbery, for which he was found not guilty, and a 2005 arrest for simple assault and unlawful restraint, which charges were dismissed.

“Animals used for fighting are victimized every day. Thankfully, these dogs are in a safe place, and four have found new homes. Nine of these dogs still wait for their forever homes,” PSPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a statement.