Most of the items seized from 84 Jefferson Street last week are common to dogfighting and have little use elsewhere, the nation’s foremost expert on animal fighting issues said today.

A review of the search warrant filed in Halifax shows a number of drugs were seized that are specific to use in animal fighting, said John Goodwin, director of animal cruelty policy and the animal rescue team for the Humane Society of the United States.

“Based on the evidence, they have a very strong case. I’ve seen dogfighting cases with less evidence than this lead to convictions.”

All of the items were seized last week from the residence of Kenneth Brooks, who faces numerous counts of dog baiting as well as several city ordinance violations because of the tethering of the dogs.

One of the dogs.

They were based on a search obtained by Narcotics Agent Jamie Hardy of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

The first item noted in the search warrant is a 500-capsule bottle of amoxicillin, which Goodwin said is used to kill bacteria after fights. “They’re chewed up pretty good after a fight and dirt is pushed into the skin. It’s rudimentary post-fight care.”

The second items listed included Oxycontin, which Goodwin said he is not familiar with being used in dogfighting circles.

Furosemide is a water pill used to reduce swelling while vitamin B and B-12 are good for building up blood and providing an energy surge. “They’re good for stamina,” Goodwin said.

More dogs.

Aquacillin is similar to amoxicillin while Dexamethasone keeps dogs from going into shock after fights and helps them cool down, according to Goodwin.

Bacteriostatic water is most likely used as a drink to replace electrolytes while Biomox and Baytril are used to fight infections.

Cimetidine is used to treat ulcers and Ampicillin is yet another anti-bacteria drug as well as Tetracycline, of which a 1,000-capsule bottle was seized.

Brooks leads Hardy into the house.

Wound dressings, bandage wraps, a surgical stapler, staples and stitching kits were also seized. “That’s pretty self-explanatory,” Goodwin said. “Even if a dog won a championship, even a winner can be on the verge of death.”

Three breaking sticks were seized; something that Goodwin said is common in dogfighting. He said he doesn’t agree that people with multiple pit bulls need breaking sticks. “I know a lot of people with multiple pit bulls and they don’t have breaking sticks. I think people who make that argument are singling out this one type of breed. Most people who have pit bulls don’t have breaking sticks.”

Scales were seized as well as a weighted collar, which Goodwin said helps to build up neck strength.

IV equipment was seized as well as addresses, books, photos and miscellaneous literature about dog fighting.

A dog in the pen.

While police have declined to discuss evidence seized beyond the dogfighting DVD’s reporters saw being carried out of the house, a non-law enforcement source said included in that evidence was a book on Cajun rules, the most common rules followed by dogfighters.

The same source also said documents on bloodlines seized trace the dogs to the Garner bloodline of Tom Garner in Wake County, who is a convicted dogfighter.

A wooden dog sled was seized from the house.

While weight pulling is legal, Goodwin said, “A lot of dogfighters set up legal events. It gives them something to do legally, it gives them a cover. They don’t need the Cajun rules book for weight pulling.”