A 32-year-old Kent Bridge man is facing more charges related to an alleged dog fighting ring in Tilbury.
Robert Tomlin was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals on March 1. On Wednesday Chatham-Kent police say he has been additionally charged with three counts of cruelty to animals.
In October of 2015, a joint investigation between the Chatham-Kent Police Service and the Ontario SPCA Major Case Management Team resulted in the execution of multiple search warrants at an address on Morris Line in Tilbury East Township.
The investigation into an alleged dog fighting operation has resulted in four other people being arrested and over 300 charges laid under the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Dog Owner’s Liability Act.
Due to the circumstances surrounding Tomlin’s arrest on March 1, two search warrants were authorized under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act for two properties in the Kent Bridge area, which led to the seizure of seven pit bull-type dogs.
Police say the dogs are being housed in a location outside of Chatham-Kent.
Since pit bull-type dogs are prohibited in the Ontario, Tomlin was charged on Tuesday with seven counts of unlawfully owning a pit bull-type dog.
All seven seized dogs have been individually assessed by a certified veterinarian.
Police say three of the dogs have injuries consistent with the patterns seen on dogs used for fighting.
Tomlin’s next court date is March 30.
