Ongoing dogfighting investigation in southwestern Ontario leads to new charges

CHATHAM, Ont. — Police have laid new charges in connection with an alleged dogfighting ring in southwestern Ontario.

Chatham-Kent police say they’ve laid three new animal cruelty charges against Robert Tomlin, 32, of Kent Bridge, Ont.

READ MORE: 21 alleged fighting dogs may be spared, moved to ‘opulent’ sanctuary

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Tomlin has also been charged with seven offences under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act for allegedly owning pit bulls – which are banned in Ontario. The animals were seized in early March.

Const. Renee Cowell says Tomlin had been previously charged with two counts of animal cruelty.

READ MORE: OSPCA sounds alarm over Ontario dogfighting operations

Police say the latest charges are related to an investigation into a dogfighting ring at a different property near Chatham, Ont., where four people face more than 300 charges.

The case has taken on national prominence as the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has applied to court to destroy 21 dogs that were seized as part of that investigation because they have deemed them a menace to society unfit for rehabilitation.