Ypsilanti Township man accused of selling pit bull puppies for dog fighting goes on trial
The trial for an Ypsilanti Township man accused of torturing dogs and trying to sell them to an undercover investigator for dog-fighting is scheduled to begin today in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.
B.J. Jarrell, 33, is charged with two counts of possessing animals for dog fighting and one count of animal torture. He was arrested earlier this year after he and accused accomplice Daniel Ryback were caught in a sting operation coordinated by the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Authorities answered a suspicious ad on the Internet for pit bulls for sale in the Ypsilanti area late last year, said Matt Schaecher, the Humane Society's lead cruelty investigator. With the help of the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team, they arranged several phone calls and a meeting, all recorded and expected to be key evidence presented during the trial.
During those conversations, both Jarrell and Ryback made statements and references consistent with dog fighting, such as discussing the animal’s lineage and even classification based on an ancestor’s fighting history, Schaecher said.
Investigators purchased two puppies from them for between $50 and $100 in late December. A subsequent search of Ryback’s home in the 2100 block Woodale Avenue revealed other dogs living in deplorable conditions, Schaecher said. Authorities seized the animals and condemned the property due to health code violations.
During their investigation, Schaecher said they learned Jarrell and Ryback would “crop” the ears of their dogs for sale, which involved slicing the ears so other dogs would have less to grab onto during a fight.
They allegedly used razor blades and no anesthetic, which led to animal cruelty charges.
“They were getting calls from buyers who had questions about cropped ears, and they decided to do it themselves,” Schaecher said.
Ryback, 33, pleaded no contest in July to one count of possessing an animal for fighting, court records show. Prosecutors agreed to drop counts of possessing animals for fighting and animal cruelty at sentencing, which was initially scheduled last week. Court officials said the hearing was delayed until Tuesday, and Ryback is expected to testify at Jarrell’s trial.
Court records also show Jarrell was arrested in February on assault charges. He pleaded no contest to a second-offense domestic violence charge in March and was placed on probation, court records show. He and Ryback were arrested on the animal complaints on April 2.
David Goldstein, Jarrell’s attorney, declined to comment.
Schaecher said all of the animals involved were adopted.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 723-623-2530.
Comments
Steve Pepple
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 7:54 a.m.
A comment that contained a personal attack against another commenter and a subsequent response to it have been removed.
Mikey2u
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 11:14 p.m.
Eye Heart A2 I was walking my small Beagle mix family dog near Holmes School a few months ago when we were approached by a Pit Bull type dog. My dog is very friendly and gets along with other dogs. When the Pit Bull approached, my dog rolled over on her back and assumed a submissive position. The Pit Bull sniffed at my dog for a moment and then started attacking her. As soon as I realized what was going on I started punching the dog as hard as I could and was able to pull it off of my dog. Once I pulled the Pit Bull off of my dog I was able to tie it to a fence with a piece of electrical wire that had been wrapped around his neck. I rushed my dog to the Vet where she died from her injuries. You might think that it is cleaver posting the photos of the different dog breeds or talking about Pomeranians, but its not cleaver. Its not cleaver to look the other way when we are in the middle of an epidemic. It isnt cleaver to say there are enough unenforced laws on the books. It isnt cleaver to sit back and do nothing except watch the problem grow. It isnt cleaver, its cowardly. DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A 75-year-old Michigan man rescued a 10-year-old girl being attacked by a pit bull, only to get a serious bite himself, police say. Rochester Hills, MI: Attack spurs call for pit bull ban Larry Adams said he is glad the loose pit bull didnt hurt his 16-year-old son during the attack as the boy walked the familys 5-month-old Jack Russell terrier, Pebbles. Westland -- A string of pit bull attacks this summer in Metro Detroit, including at least four this week, is sharpening debate over how to protect people and other dogs from the popular but unpredictable breed. The number of fatal dog attacks in the USA has been going up. The yearly average was 17 in the 1980s and 1990s; as stated above, there were 33 deaths in 2007, 23 in 2008, and 30 in 2009. According to the Clifton study, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks that were included in the study
Mikey2u
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 7:30 p.m.
EyeHeart A2, Until we pass a law that prohibits any person from owning, possessing, keeping, exercising control over, maintaining, harboring, or selling a pit bull. A pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of these breeds. Innocent people will continue to be attacked and killed.
Mikey2u
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
I'm know there are gentle Pit Bulls and it's unfortunate that the actions of a few people have given the entire breed such a terrible reputation, but like the city of Denver, we need to pass a law banning all Pit Bulls.
Cash
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
I am a supporter of all pets being spayed and neutered. But of course some breeds are more likely to be trained and bred for fighting, sadly. Yes, that's the owners fault, but it really doesn't matter whether it's the dogs fault or the owners fault if you are an innocent walker who is attacked by a dog bred to fight. However, I do think if a law existed that dogs be spayed and neutered or they would be confiscated, neighbors of people like this would be happy to report them! that report could save someone's life and certainly protect a dog or two as well.
Cash
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
@EyeHeartA2, No, people like this wouldn't follow the rules....but they could have had the dogs taken long ago for not following the pay and neuter ordinance without having to jump through hoops to prove dogfighting.
djm12652
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 10:55 a.m.
I find it ironic that so many people want to "throw the book at them" and that the laws are so "lax" when it comes to animals...I too hate to see an animal hurt, but what about people that prey on chidren...where are all those that would defend them against predators?
Angela Barbash
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 10:37 a.m.
I'm so glad these guys were caught, and I agree the book should be thrown at them. From what I understand, dog fighting is a felony in the State of Michigan. I hope they are working hard to find the people these guys were selling to and investigate them for fighting...
berda
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
they need to throw the book at those two real hard being mean to all of gods creatures and that is wrong
eyeonthenews
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
I'm so glad to hear they arrested these two but even if the judge gives them the max sentence under the law it isn't enough. Our laws regarding animals are still too lax. We must have new laws with more severe punishment.
lisam
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.
Ohhh, makes my stomach turn reading that they sliced the ears with no anesthetic. I have a son with a bulldog/pittbull mix who is a GREAT dog. I can't imagine anyone harming any pet. Some people need to get what they give.
Stephanie
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.
"Gosh, with all the separate positive news stories regarding pit bulls in the recent days, you would think everybody would want one." Your grandma's pomeranian is probably more vicious than most pits. The difference is size and strength. Oh, and having an owner that isn't a jerk. The dogs did nothing wrong in this instance and were adopted out. The people are going to jail and you're complaining about dogs, who are not moral agents and whom are at the complete mercy of their owner?
stevek
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.
Gosh, with all the separate positive news stories regarding pit bulls in the recent days, you would think everybody would want one.
Cash
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.
Another good reason for required spay and neutering.....it would help to protect them from this kind of vermin.