Kareem Garner’s arrest followed a year-long investigation by LMPD’s animal cruelty unit.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kareem Garner, will face a grand jury on allegations of dog fighting and animal cruelty. However, no evidence connected Garner to any actual dog fighting. Instead, the case against him alleges he raised the dogs for fighting.
“To be able to remove those four dogs and give them a better chance of a life, that’s the reward in it. And that’s why I do it,” Sgt. Lisa Nagle, head of LMPD’s Animal Cruelty Enforcement Unit, said.
After a yearlong investigation into Garner, she believes he’s connected to other big names in dog fighting across the state. A post on LMPD’s Facebook page described him as “prolific” in the dog fighting world.
Presiding Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke found evidence against Garner was enough to move forward, but felt the prosecutor’s case needs more.
“I will find that probable cause exists. I do believe that the Commonwealth has a lot of work to do,” Burke said.
Nagle presented evidence of dog fighting publications in Garner’s home along with handwritten notes.
“When you bring in one to hunt,” the sergeant read from a photo copy of one note, “be prepared to come home alone.”
She said “hunt” refers to dog fighting. However, defense attorney James Russell argued there’s no proof Garner wrote those notes. He also said the publications were used to train dogs for shows.
“The Commonwealth jumped the gun. My client is a reputable dog breeder and enthusiast and I think that’s what the testimony here showed,” Russell said.
When police searched Garner’s home here, bordering Taylor Berry Park, on June 6, they found four dogs in the back yard—two males and two females. One was covered in their own waste; the others, mud.
Garner’s attorney says that the exercise equipment found at the home indicates that those dogs were raised for shows and not fighting.
For example, LMPD shared a picture of a homemade carpet treadmill in Garner’s basement, with a chain meant to keep dogs in place.
According to police, some of the dogs had worms. Now, they’re being cared for at Louisville Metro Animal Services.
This case is just beginning—and a grand jury will decide if it goes to trial. That hearing is scheduled for August 12.
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