Pit bulls seized in raid on rapper DMX's home

:( Poor doggies...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/e...me_usa_dmx_col

Pit bulls seized in raid on rapper DMX's home

1 hour, 45 minutes ago

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies removed 12 distressed pit bulls from the Phoenix area home of rapper-turned-actor DMX in a raid that also found a number of firearms, police said on Friday.
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Sheriffs' office spokesman Capt. Paul Chagolla said DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, 36, was not at home during the raid.

"We served an initial search warrant for animal neglect, and 12 pit bulls were removed," Chagolla told Reuters by telephone.

"There are weapons in the home, and we are in the process of obtaining an amended warrant," he added.

Chagolla said no arrests have been made in connection with the raid. He said an ongoing investigations at the home "would determine what charges may be bought and against and whom."

Simmons has sold 20 million albums. The most recent, the "Year of the Dog ... Again" was brought out last year. The cover depicts DMX restraining a snarling pit bull on a chain.

He is best known as actor for appearances in films including "Romeo Must Die" and "Exit Wounds" in 2000 and 2001, has a long history of brushes with the law.

In 2002 he pleaded guilty in New Jersey for animal cruelty for neglecting 13 pit bulls, according to news reports. As part of his sentence he did a public service announcement against animal abuse.

Simmons' representatives at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles could not be reached for comment.

Chagolla said the dogs are now in the care of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He added that it had not determined if they had been involved in fighting activities.

The raid came as Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick admitted guilt on Friday in a dogfighting case, prompting the National Football League to suspend the star player indefinitely.

Vick, 27, admitted in a plea agreement he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" from 2001 through April 2007.

I heard a little about this on the news this morning and was hoping to find something online today to see what it was all about. I just find the whole thing sickening. It's because of people like Vick and DMX that pit bulls are getting a bad rep :(

This news comes as no surprise to me.
They are selling Vick football cards that have been chewed by dogs on ebay and the profits go to a humane society.

Cops Say Suspected Drugs in DMX' Home

Friday's search was prompted by reports that pit bulls kept by the rapper at the home in rural north Phoenix were not being given enough food or water. A dozen pit bulls were seized, the bodies of three dogs were dug up in the yard and a variety of assault-style weapons were taken from the home, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was not at home and his lawyer said he hasn't been there for two months.

Arpaio said there was no indication the dogs were used in fights.

Reached Saturday, attorney Murray Richman said he had no knowledge of any narcotics. The dogs were looked after by a caretaker and "all sorts of people" had been staying at the home, Richman said.

"Why doesn't the sheriff call me?" Richman said. "I spoke to him yesterday _ and rather than make these allegations in the press why doesn't he call me?"

Arpaio said witnesses placed the 36-year-old rapper at the home within the past three weeks, but Richman insisted that he has not been there for 2 months.

The weapons are being checked to see if they are legal, the sheriff said. Richman said Simmons has no felony convictions that would prohibit him from owning weapons.

In 2002, Simmons pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia in New Jersey. Police said they found pipes for smoking crack cocaine, a pistol and 13 pit bulls at his home in 1999.

His albums include "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" and "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" and "Year of the Dog ... Again."