At least eight dogs owned by Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown were part of a pack seized by authorities in Wisconsin late last month as were part of a suspected dog-fighting operation.
A pit bull and her seven puppies were all taken into custody and Joseph A. Sudbrink, owner of Northland Pits, was arrested and charged with mistreating animals and running a breeding kennel without a license, according to Philly.com. Authorities also note that their investigation is ongoing.
On Friday, a county judge ordered that at least one of the animals returned to Brown, while, according to Philly.com, at least 19 others seized during the raid still remain in the custody of the Eau County Humane Association.
The website reported humane officer BeKah Weitz told the court she saw scarring on the dogs when she examined them and believed the kennel operators were fighting them. The kennel's website touts itself as a breeder of "quality old family red nose pit bulls." It also says that no dogs are "bred, sold or used for any illegal activities."
Weitz also told authorities the dogs had contracted ringworm and possibly had other skin issues. She said they also were being kept in substandard conditions, specifically in houses without bottoms in damp conditions.
According to a court affidavit, Brown first purchased his dog in 2010 as a pet. He later sent her to Northland Pits to be bred. After a week, she was returned to Brown in Wichita, Kansas, the website reported.
The seizure involving Brown comes nearly four years after the Eagles signed quarterback Michael Vick following his release from prison on federal charges he once ran a massive dog fighting operation.
On Friday, Brown attorney Sheila Kessler argued her client is a victim, and the value of the puppies decrease the longer they are held. “It’s a lot easier to sell 8-week-old puppies than it is to sell eight-month-old puppies,” the website reported she told the court.
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