WASHINGTON (7News) — Thirty-one dogs seized in a raid following a Valentine's Day D.C. shooting were not used for dog fighting, an animal welfare agency reported.
The investigation into the circ*mstances surrounding the number of dogs inside the home is ongoing, a spokesperson from the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) said.
The dogs were discovered when police searched a Southeast District home following a shooting that left four Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers injured.
That shooting occurred in the early-morning hours of Valentine's Day when MPD along with HRA served an arrest warrant before the shooting and standoff ensued.
The HRA said a total of 31 dogs were found inside the home -- 20 adults and 11 puppies. All of them appear to be American bullies or a mix of that breed. Their ages range from two months to several years old.
The HRA said they are focused on their care and well-being -- trying to help them after such a traumatic event. 7News learned they’re presently at a secure, undisclosed, off-site location being cared for.
Staff members are in the process of assessing each dog’s needs and moving forward accordingly with care.
Several dogs, we're told, require more extensive medical treatment for injuries caused by the animals when they started fighting with each other due to how they were housed.
RELATED | Man arrested after Valentine's Day standoff faced eviction after dog bit toddler: docs
The Humane Rescue Alliance shared the following statement Thursday:
“Throughout the course of our investigation, our Humane Law Enforcement officers obtained evidence of the suspect allegedly striking and punching a dog, and we obtained an arrest warrant on charges of animal cruelty. At the end of the day on February 14, after the suspect was taken into custody, our officers removed 31 dogs - 20 adults and 11 puppies - from the house on the 5000 block of Hanna Place SE. They range in age from 2 months to several years old. All of the dogs appear to be American Bullies, or some mix thereof.
So many of you have reached out about the dogs, and we appreciate how much you want to help them. Right now, our priority is to focus on their care and wellbeing, and to allow them to settle in after what was an exceptionally traumatic day in their lives. For those of you who are looking to add a new pet to their family, we do have nearly 100 adoptable dogs who are looking for loving new homes,
Earlier today, our three colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Department, who were shot while serving the arrest warrant, were released from the hospital. We are thrilled and relieved that they are on the mend, and the whole HRA team is thinking about them, and their loved ones, as they recover. While we are always grateful for their partnership, we especially want to honor them today. Together with our own field services officers, our MPD partners encounter unpredictable and volatile situations in the course of our work. We truly could not fulfill our mission without them, and we thank them for their courage.”
The HRA said they are 100% certain that no dog fighting was involved in this case.
7News ReporterJoy Wang spoke to Wayne Pacelle, the president of Animal Wellness Action, a nonprofit that promotes legal standards against animal cruelty. He’s been working on these crimes for 30 years and said animal cruelty cases are typically intertwined with violent outbursts.
“We also see the spillover of violence into our communities,” said Pacelle. “There is a general indicator that people who are involved in these sorts of crimes will be violating these other norms of our society.”
Pacelle said the dogs will need a lot of attention and emphasized they are the victims in this case.
“They are not the problem. They are the victim,” explained Pacelle. “The notion is to not to re-victimize them and to give them a chance at a complete life.”
Stephen Rattigan, also known under the alias "Julius James" is accused of shooting three MPD officers when they arrived at his home. A fourth officer was also injured.
Court documents filed by Rattigan’s landlord show a 30-day notice was given in April 2023, claiming Rattigan, “has two dogs pit bulls [sic] attacked a 2-year-old and her guardian.”
The eviction notice states James had until the end of May to get rid of his dogs or vacate the house on Hanna Place Southeast.
7News confirmed that an Animal Control officer arrived at the home on Jan. 6, 2024, and smelled a "strong odor of dog feces and urine" while still outside by the front door. The officer knocked on the door, but didn't get an answer, and left a notice of a failure to provide "proper air, light, space."
Just a few days later, the Washington Humane Society received a video showing what appeared to be Rattigan punching a dog "in the face six times, causing the dog to yelp each time."
After Rattigen was arrested, police recovered three handguns, two rifles, hundreds of ammunition rounds, and a bulletproof vest.
Rattigan faced a judge on Thursday who ordered he be held without bond hours after the injured police officers were released from a hospital.
Due to the sensitive nature of this case, the Humane Rescue Alliance is not providing us pictures or access to the dogs. It remains unclear when they’ll be put up for adoption.
HRA said they are currently looking for forever homes for nearly 100 dogs. To adopt a pet from the HRA, go here.
