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14-Year-Old Flint Boy Charged In Dog Fighting Case

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - A 14-year-old Flint boy is facing felony charges following a dog fighting bust at a home.

The Genesee County prosecutor's office on Monday announced that the boy was charged with torturing animals and dog fighting. Both charges are four-year felonies, carrying fines that range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Prosecutor David Leyton said in a statement that he wished that Michigan law provided harsher penalties under the circumstances involved. He said the teen is being tried in Genesee County's juvenile court because it offers the maximum possible penalty.

WSGW-AM reports the house was raided April 9, after a "bait" dog -- a dog used to train other fighting dogs -- was found in the driveway. Six dogs were removed from the East Bishop Avenue home and three of the animals, including the bait dog, were euthanized due to severe injuries that they sustained.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said the home's garage hosted the alleged dog fights, the floor of which was covered with animal feces and patches of fresh blood.

Pickell said a "gory report" by the county veterinarian showed the animals seized lived a violent life.

One of the animals, a tan and white pit bull, had fresh bite wounds on both of its ears as well as deep bite wounds into its mouth, Pickell told The Flint Journal. The animal also had three fractured ribs, which Pickell said is evidence the dog had been tortured and kicked. A second pit bull had a fractured tibia and two of the animals were unable to stand up.

Pickell said the bait dog, a chocolate lab, had the most extensive injuries, including bite wounds, severe wounds on its front legs, a deep laceration along its shoulder and an open compound fracture on one of its legs. He also said the dog showed signs of blunt force trauma, likely from a foreign object being inserted into its rectum. The dog's tail also had multiple fractures that likely were inflicted by the other dogs biting and pulling the animal, Pickell said.

The 14-year-old was currently on a 180-day minimum suspension from school and had been kicked out of school at least 10 times in the past, Pickell said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 810-257-3407.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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