Official: York man charged with dog fighting after 13 pit bulls seized

A York man was jailed on multiple charges after deputies discovered 13 pit bulls at his home that were believed to be involved with dog fighting, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office.

Frankie Lee Starnes Jr., 34, of Prairie Hill Road, was charged with eight counts each of ill treatment of animals, restraint law violation, county animal shelter violation and rabies violation, and seven counts of dog fighting, said sheriff’s spokesman Trent Faris. Starnes was arrested Tuesday afternoon and placed in the York County Detention Center.

Deputies and K-9 units were searching for a burglary suspect on an unrelated call on June 6 when they discovered 13 pit bulls “suspected to have been a part of dog fighting,” Faris said. The dogs were found at a home in the 500 block of Prairie Hill Road in York, which was determined to be Starnes’ home.

Eleven of the pit bulls were on chains tied to the ground by car axles, Faris said. Eight of the dogs had severe scars and open wounds.

York County Animal Control was called to investigate, and a veterinary examination of the dogs revealed their injuries were consistent with dog fighting, Faris said. Starnes agreed to surrender the dogs to Animal Control. Their conditions were not available late Tuesday.

This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Official: York man charged with dog fighting after 13 pit bulls seized."