COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Eight people were arrested Sunday night after police in Englewood got an anonymous tip about dogfighting.
When officers arrived at a house in the 6600 block of South Winchester Avenue about 7:30 p.m., they heard dogs yelping in the basement, police and prosecutors said.
The officers peeked through a window and saw blood on the floor, Assistant State's Attorney Alex Molesky said during a brief bond hearing Monday. There were also bloody boards and sticks, as well as cages, she said.
Police entered the home to find four emaciated pit bulls with wounds consistent to those sustained during dogfights, officials said. The dogs were taken into care by Animal Care and Control.
The officers saw fresh blood smeared across a railing and staircase, and several of the men inside the house tried to leave when police arrived, according to an arrest report.
Jawaan Chick, 22, of south suburban Matteson, was charged with a felony count of dogfighting by someone who owns or breeds animals for fighting. Molesky said he admitted to being the dogs' owner.
The following people were charged with attending a dogfight:
• Sabrina Morris, 44, of the 6600 block of South Winchester Avenue
• Taylon Hughes, 24, of the 7800 block of South Kingston Avenue
• Shaquille Middleton, 20, of Country Club Hills
• Charles Ray, 28, of the 2600 block of East 74th Place
• Jimmie Kelly, 59, of the 6600 block of South Winchester Avenue
• Arnulfo Sanchez, 37, of Harvey
• William Hill, 18 , of the 6600 block of South Winchester Avenue
Prosecutors on Monday said Sanchez and Middleton are currently charged in another animal fighting and animal torture case.
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