WEST JORDAN, Utah – A West Jordan man is facing one count of dog fighting and one count of cruelty to an animal after he and two other men allegedly tried to videotape two pit bulls fighting in a park.
According to court documents, charged were filed Tuesday against Jonny Azhael Herrera, 20, in connection with an incident that took place on June 30.
A witness told police he was driving past a park at 8283 South 4300 West when he saw two men holding leashes on two dogs that were fighting while a third man taped the fight.
A police officer responded, and when he arrived he saw a group of teens standing around with two pit bulls. One of the dogs, Pawk, belonged to Herrera, and the officer saw the dog’s ear was bleeding.
The dog was panting heavily and kept collapsing to fall on its side. The officer asked Herrera if he had water for the dog, and Herrera told the officer he did not.
According to charging documents, Herrera told the officer that Pawk and the other pit bull lived near each other and did not get along. Herrerea told police they decided to let the dogs fight to see if it helped them get along.
The officer asked about the taping of the fight, and Herrera told the officer they had tried to film the fight but could not, as the camera did not have a memory card.
Dog fighting is a third-degree felony, and cruelty to an animal is a class B misdemeanor.
