Orange County man facing dog fighting charges after authorities seize 30 dogs

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, more than 30 dogs were seized from a home at 9316 N.C. Highway 57 in Rougemont earlier this month in connection with an ongoing investigating into dog fighting.

On Friday, deputies searched the property and confiscated portions of a dog-fighting pit, documents and records for the animals and treadmills used to exercise the dogs, authorities said.

Daniel Isiah Crew Jr., 41, was being held at the Person County Detention Center on Monday evening, and authorities said he will be charged with multiple counts of felony dog fighting and misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty in the coming days.

“Fighting dogs for sport is a serious offense that our laws appropriately recognize as a felony. By its very nature, dog fighting involves the inhumane and cruel treatment of animals. Dog fighting rarely exists in isolation; instead it is usually linked to other forms of organized crime,” Sheriff Charles Blackwood said.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected against Crew and others.

Anybody with information is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 919-245-2915.