Antonio Hawkins, 31, was arrested Wednesday, according to an arrest warrant. He was charged with one count of cruelty to animals in the first degree and three counts of cruelty to animals in the second degree.
A Louisville Metro officer on a routine patrol in the Russell neighborhood Oct. 14 came across a male pit bull dog tied to a fence, the report said.
The officer also observed both old and fresh wounds on the dog's head, neck and legs. Two more female dogs were in the backyard. Both were thin to the point that their ribs were visible and the area was littered with debris and feces. The report noted that it is common for dog fighters to keep female dogs for breeding.
No one appeared to be inside the residence, and police immediately took all three dogs to Louisville Metro Animal Services.
Two hours later, the warrant said, police saw Hawkins and another man, James White, arrive at the house. Hawkins identified himself as the dogs' owner and said he had been keeping them at the house, which belonged to his uncle.
White, who was holding a key to the house, spontaneously told officers that he had recently been in trouble for animal cruelty and that he could go to jail for a year if he was around dogs.
White was not arrested. Hawkins was released Thursday from the Louisville jail. His next court date is Dec. 6.
ARREST INFORMATION:
Full Name: Antonio D Hawkins
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/22/1985
Height: 1'50"
Weight: 509 lbs
Eye Color: Brown
Arrest Age: 31
Date: 11/16/2016
Time: 3:52 PM
Location of arrest: Jefferson County, KY
Charges:
- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 1ST DEGREE. STATUTE: 51005
- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 2ND DEGREE. STATUTE: 02625
- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 2ND DEGREE. STATUTE: 02625
- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 2ND DEGREE. STATUTE: 02625
