Canines seized in area dogfighting investigation forfeited to Toledo police
Toledo police and the U.S. Department of Agriculture raided more than 10 properties Nov. 3.
By Alexandra Mester / The Blade
Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:30:00 GMT
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A number of dogs seized by local and federal law enforcement in an ongoing dogfighting investigation have been forfeited to Toledo police.
Three defendants named in a Nov. 15 civil action regarding an unspecified number of dogs did not post cash bonds for the animals’ care by the Monday deadline set by Judge Linda Jennings of Lucas County Common Pleas Court. According to the judge’s order, failing to post the bonds means the animals are forfeit to Toledo police.
The court clerk’s office confirmed late Monday afternoon and again Tuesday that no bonds were posted. The office previously confirmed that search warrants in the case were filed under seal.
Jennifer Lambdin, assistant prosecutor, declined to comment. Lt. Kevan Toney, spokesman for Toledo police, did not return multiple messages seeking comment Tuesday.
Toledo police and the U.S. Department of Agriculture raided more than 10 properties Nov. 3. Police seized an unknown number of canines, which are being cared for in an unspecified location. No arrests were made at the time and no charges have been announced yet as the investigation continues.
Toledoans Frankie Coffee, 44, of the 1400 block of Lincoln Avenue, Eric Finn, Jr., 40, of the 1400 block of Buckingham Street, and Robert Lawhorn, 42, of the 600 block of Richards Road, are named as defendants in the civil action. Toledo police have not confirmed whether any of the three are suspects in the investigation.
A total of seven properties are listed in the order. The records list the Lincoln Avenue property for Coffee, two properties in the 1400 block of Buckingham Street for Finn, and four properties for Lawhorn — two in the 3000 block of E Street, one in the 1200 block of Hastings Avenue, and the Richards Road address.
An attorney listed in the court record as representing Lawhorn — V. Robert Candiello — did not return a message from The Blade seeking comment Tuesday. He previously said three pet dogs were seized from Lawhorn’s Richards Road residence, and that dogs were seized from all seven properties listed in the order.
While authorities have yet to release more details in the case, an official with the Ohio Department of Agriculture who provided expert testimony in the November civil hearing indicated in a public LinkedIn post that 30-plus dogs were seized during the raids. It is unclear whether those dogs represent all of the canines seized in the investigation.