UPDATED: Six Now Arrested for Dog Fighting in Seaford
UPDATED – 1/20/23 – A sixth man has been arrested in connection with the Seaford dog fighting incident earlier this month. The Office of Animal Welfare arrested 45 year old Ronnell Jacobs of Laurel with 3 felony counts related to dog fighting and 2 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Jacobs was arrested January 12 and was released on his own recognizance.
Ronnell Jacobs is currently being held without bail for a Violation of Probation related to his January 12 arrest on dog fighting and animal cruelty charges, but not as a result of the charges themselves, for which he was released on his own recognizance. He remains incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution. He is ordered to have no contact, possession, or ownership of any animals pending the outcome of the case. Mr. Jacobs was arraigned on Jan 12 on the following charges:
- Two counts owning, possessing, keeping or using an animal for the purpose of fighting
- One count being present at an animal fight
- Two counts of cruelty or neglect to animals
On January 8, Delaware State Police (DSP) and OAW responded to the 2600 Block of Lonesome RD in Seaford for suspicious activity and found multiple people at the property actively engaged in dog fighting. Five people were apprehended at the scene, while others fled on foot. During the investigation, OAW officers discovered information concerning the identity and location of Jacobs, who fled the scene at the time. He was found to be under the supervision of the Department of Corrections’ Probation and Parole Office and wearing an ankle monitor. A review of the suspect’s location on the date and time of the dog fighting incident place put him at the Lonesome RD property.
On January 12, OAW obtained a search and seizure warrant for the suspect’s Laurel residence, where 4 dogs were seized, two of which were found chained in the woods behind the home and had injuries consistent with dog fighting. The dogs are in the care of Brandywine Valley SPCA. Upon seizure, two dogs required emergency veterinary care. One of the dogs that required emergency veterinary care was determined to be unable to recover from their wounds and euthanized. The dogs are being monitored and evaluated by BVSPCA medical staff.
The other five arrested at a residence on Lonesome Road in Seaford on January 8th have since posted bail. A total of 18 dogs have been rescued during this investigation – 3 have died and 2 have been adopted while the other dogs continue to recover.
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Delaware State Police have arrested five people for dog fighting. Troopers received a complaint of suspicious activity on Sunday, January 8th at a home on Lonesome Road in Seaford. After arriving, they rescued 14 dogs.
Police took into custody the following individuals:
- 35-year-old Byron Briddell of Berlin, Maryland
- 46-year-old Kevin Land of Seaford, Delaware
- 36-year-old Glenn White of Salisbury, Maryland
- 44-year-old Timothy Whaley of Salisbury, Maryland
- 44-year-old Samuel Foreman of Whaleyville, Maryland
All five are at Sussex Correctional Institution on $18,000 secured bond.
The Delaware State Police and Office of Animal Welfare conducted the joint investigation, which is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact OAW at 302-255-4646.
