Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a Natchitoches man  in connection with a possible dogfighting scheme near Natchitoches according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday morning April 17th, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division, Natchitoches Drug Task Force agents, NPSO & Natchitoches Police Department Animal Control  Officers executed a search warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge at the residence of Ivory Hicks located in the 1500 block of Eight Mile Loop in the Oak Grove community near Natchitoches, La.

Detectives seized twenty-three male and female pit bulldogs, one cow, three pigs, two rabbits and a chicken. Several dogs had visible scarring and markings to the head, throat and legs.

Other items seized included a dog treadmill and pulley system attached to a nearby building to build the animals strength, bite bags attached to metal coil springs used to increase bit strength and latching, whey protein and creatine for muscle growth, whips, and several bottles of wound cleanser.

During a search of the residence, detectives seized a portable computer, ammunition, two police scanners, and drug paraphernalia commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics.

Detectives say the pit bulldogs were staked with chains less than 15 feet to various locations around property.

A chainlink pin was also observed on the property believed to be used for the training or fighting of dogs.

Detectives also seized a yellow Yahama Big Bear four-wheeler, a camflouged pattern Kawasaki Prairie four-wheeler and Kubota zero-turn riding mower.

Four of the dogs were euthanized.

Later Friday afternoon, Ivory Hicks, 43 of the 1500 block of Eight Mile Loop, Natchitoches, La., turned himself in to NPSO detectives.   Hicks was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Cruelty to Animals, Dogfighting, and Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony.

Hicks was later released on Friday evening on $15,000 bond set by Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Dyess.

The investigation is continuing.

The animals are currently being cared for by the NPSO Animal Control Division at the Nachitoches Parish Detention Center.

If you have any information regarding this incident or can claim any of the recovered property with a VIN# contact Detective Jared Kilpatrick of the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 318-357-7835.

The case will be forwarded to the Natchitoches District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.