Nine charges of cruelty to animals

Historic City News has learned that a 41 year-old Palm Coast man has turned himself in to the Flagler County Inmate Facility last week after a warrant was issued for his arrest; charging him with nine counts of animal cruelty.

Flagler County Sheriff’s spokesperson Debra Johnson told local reporters that Kenji X of 45 Sedeholm Path was using his home to raise pit bulls. Investigators reported finding dogs being kept in pens without food or water outside the home.

Investigators said some of the dogs, including puppies, were tethered by heavy chains or extra weights — a method used to strengthen the dogs’ necks for fighting.

The dogs also had wounds consistent with dog fighting.

The similarities of these dogs and dogs being raised for the purpose of dog fighting prompted the investigators to execute a search warrant on April 16th; but, when they showed up, they found empty confinement cages.

Sheriff’s investigators began their investigation in March after deputies responded to a complaint from the Crimestoppers Tipline reporting dogs possibly being raised for dog fighting at the Palm Coast home.

Flagler County Animal Control officers at that time told deputies they had previously responded to the Sederholm Path address in response to similar complaints. In at least one instance, Kenji X refused to allow an animal control officer access to his garage to determine if other dogs were being housed inside the residence.

The dogs found at X’s home were found to be scarred and injured. All the animals were taken into protective custody by Palm Coast Animal Control pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This is disturbing to find animals being mistreated in this manner. Dog fighting is illegal and it is an activity that is abhorrent to most people,” said Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming.

X turned himself into the Inmate Facility around 8:00 p.m. Thursday and was released after posting $15,000 bond.