Police: Dogfighting perpetrators take special pains to hide actions

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Some of the Milwaukee dogfighting matches outlined in criminal complaints this week allegedly occurred in residential neighborhoods, not in far-flung rural communities. That raises the questions of why next-door neighbors never reported seeing or hearing anything out of the ordinary.

Milwaukee police said Friday, April 4th that perpetrators take special pains to hide their actions.

Fighting dogs might be kept in a basement from birth to death, so neighbors never even know there's a dog next door. Matches might be held late at night or before dawn, and owners might transport their dogs in the trunks of their vehicles or park inside the garage before letting them out.

Milwaukee police Officer Ivan Wick says residents who see the slightest suspicious activity shouldn't be afraid to ask police to investigate.