Alleged Dog-Fighting Ring Busted in West Akron

Local and federal police agencies swooped down on a home in West Akron late Saturday night and busted an alleged dog-fighting ring.

The Akron Beacon Journal led off its article on the raid by setting up the scene, noting that people “dined on hot dogs and barbecued ribs purchased at a concession stand… in the backyard of a West Akron home… (while) two dogs were ripping each other apart in a garage on the property.”

The Beacon Journal reported that 100 officers from the Akron Police, FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Office took part in the raid, which netted 47 arrests.

Charges included single counts of fourth-degree felony dog fighting. The arrestees were taken to the Summit County Jail, and further charges are possible, an APD spokesperson told the Beacon Journal.

The raid occurred in the 1100 block of Cordova Avenue around 11 p.m. Saturday, at a home that authorities said had been investigating for illegal activity for more than a year, police said.

“There was walking room all around the pens, and the ground was carpeted,” the police spokesperson told the newspaper. “It was set up for betting. The walls had blood splatters, and there were bloody [electric] prodders to get the dogs to fight.”

The Beacon Journal reported that “authorities seized $52,000 and 11 vehicles belonging to people from several states. The home, police told the newspaper, is owned by Alvin Banks, 56 (shown in the jail mug-shot). He was charged with dog fighting along with the others.

The article said humane officers rescued eight pit bulls and pit-bull mixed breeds from the site.