SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff's Office Raids Home of Large Scale Dog Fighting Suspect

On 11/05/07 at approximately 1900 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies raided the home of Raymond Teamer ( 6782 Trammel Drive, Milton) after a lengthy investigation into a dog fighting ring. Investigators have been investigating Teamer for months in an effort to break up a large scale operation in which Teamer was breeding high dollar pitbulls for fighting other dogs in multiple states. The investigation came to a head today after deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was seen leaving Teamers residence. During the traffic stop, deputies found two pitbulls that had fresh wounds sustained from dog fighting activities. Other items that are used in the dog fighting community were also found in the vehicle. A search warrant was then obtained for Teamer's residence. When the search warrant was executed, investigators found approximately 30 pitbull dogs located on the 9 acre parcel of land owned by Teamer. These dogs were spread throughout Teamer's property, chained fast to steel posts embedded in the ground with heavy industrial chains. The majority of the dogs had wounds, both fresh and healed, that are consistent with dog fighting activities. The investigation revealed that Teamer breeds these dogs specifically for the purpose of fighting. Numerous records, trophies, and other items were located on Teamer's property that document Teamer's activity of breeding, selling and fighting these dogs. Multiple agencies and entities assisted with the investigation, including the collection and removal of the dogs from the property. Flomaton Police Department (Alabama) as well as the Humane Society of Escambia County, Alabama also assisted in the investigation, due to the majority of the dog fights occurring in their jurisdiction. Teamer would travel out of state to fight his dogs. The Santa Rosa County Animal Services also assisted with the documentation and removal of the dogs. Ark Animal Hospital in Pace under the direction of Dr. Summerlin volunteered their services to examine the dogs on scene in order to document their health and injuries that were present on the animals. The Sheriff's Office would like to tremendously thank Dr. Summerlin and his veterinary clinic in assisting in this investigation. Dogs present included pitbulls of various ages ranging from newborn puppies to adults. On female pitbull had fresh wounds from fighting, while she was kept in a cage nursing her newborn puppies. The animals were taken to the Santa Rosa Animal Shelter and will be held at that location while the investigation continues. Teamer was arrested at the scene and is being charged with possession of fighting dogs, a felony in the State of Florida. Teamer will be charged with one count for each dog that is removed from the premises. Other possible charges are pending against Teamer and any other suspects that are found to be connected to these activities. The charge count and bond amount is not known at the time of this release, due to authorities still being present at the address removing and documenting the dogs. The Sheriff's Office is proud and thankful for the work of all persons involved in order to curb this cruel abuse of animals. No further information is available at this time. The investigation is ongoing and more will be released as it becomes available.

SUSPECT:

TEAMER, RAYMOND EUGENE B/M 7/10/1965

6782 Trammel Drive , Milton , FL

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net