10/25/17 — Another man charged in connection to dog fighting ring

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Another man charged in connection to dog fighting ring

By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 25, 2017 10:56 AM

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Juan Derico Rufus

Another man is facing charges after being arrested by Kinston police in connection to a dog fighting ring.

Juan Derico Rufus, 43, of 661 Will Baker Road, Kinston, is charged with felony dog fighting.

Also charged in the case is Hal Tyler Jr., 40, of 403 Sherman St., Kinston. He is charged with felony dog fighting, also, and was given a $15,000 secured bond.

Kinston police discovered the dog fighting operation after responding to a complaint about it at 403 Sherman St. at about 11 p.m. Saturday.

A crowd of people fled into the nearby woods when officers showed up.

Officers found two injured dogs, as well as a wooden dog fighting ring on the property.

One of the dogs was treated for injuries and given to the Lenoir County SPCA, while a second dog received 48 staples to the face and neck area for treatment of its injuries.

Police seized three more dogs from the property, all of which were uninjured.

Rufus received a $10,000 secured bond on the charge.

The case remains under investigation and additional arrests are expected.