Of 12 dogs in case, 10 put down

Ten of the 12 dogs seized in June from a South Richmond home in a dogfighting case had to be put down.

Several of the dogs were overly aggressive, Richmond authorities said yesterday, and one dog had such a bad infection on its face that its skin fell off from scratching. New homes were found for the two survivors.

In addition to the dogs, authorities found exercise equipment, medical supplies and other evidence of dogfighting at the home of Richard E. Robinson, also known as "Lil Richard," and his mother, Ardeller Morris, according to testimony yesterday in Manchester General District Court.

Robinson, 32, referred to his dogs as "Old School Kennel," said Richmond prosecutor Alex Taylor.

A judge yesterday certified to a grand jury one felony count each of dogfighting and animal cruelty against Robinson. Prosecutors withdrew all charges against Morris, 60.

"She's maintained her innocence from the beginning," Morris' attorney, George A. Townsend, said after the hearing.

Robinson, who has prior convictions on dogfighting and cruelty charges in Richmond, also faces a felony dogfighting charge in Halifax County, N.C., authorities there confirmed yesterday. That charge stems from a Nov. 30 incident. A court hearing is set for Oct. 7 in Halifax.

On June 16, authorities searched the Richmond home of Robinson and Morris in the 2100 block of Wright Avenue off Jefferson Davis Highway.

They found dogs in heavy chains in kennels without water, and some of them were injured, according to testimony. Authorities said they discovered syringes scattered about the property, medications, scales, magazines about dogfighting and pedigree information.

According to testimony, authorities found exercise equipment, including a hard, plastic "boomer ball" that dogs are encouraged to chase for exercise; a "spring pole," which can be used to hang dogs from a rope to strengthen their jaw muscles; and a device used to immobilize a dog for breeding.

A Richmond Animal Control employee testified that Robinson visited an animal shelter where the dogs were held after being seized and tried to reclaim them.

Robinson's attorney, Shannon Taylor, said she will file a motion in Richmond Circuit Court to suppress evidence seized in the search of the Wright Avenue property. "The probable cause was woefully inadequate," she said.

Authorities have linked Robinson to a Henrico County man, Tracy Mark Tucker, 39. The two men, according to an affidavit for a search warrant, "were working together to traffic illegal drugs as well as participating in illegal organized dogfighting."

Last month, a search of Tucker's property in the 1400 block of Elmshadow Drive off Osborne Turnpike turned up dogs, exercise equipment and other items, according to a police affidavit. But last week, authorities in Richmond withdrew a dogfighting charge against Tucker. As of July 22, Tucker was being held in federal custody on a firearms-possession charge. Efforts to update his status last night were unsuccessful.

Next month, a grand jury will decide whether to indict Robinson on the dogfighting and cruelty charges..

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .