Boys Blame YouTube After Dogfighting Arrest

A judge released two boys Thursday, ages 10 and 12, who were arrested for dogfighting that resulted in the death of a pit bull. The judge released them to home confinement (video) | (images).

In an affidavit released Thursday (read report), one of the boys told investigators, ”We see dogfighting on YouTube, so we just do it.”

Orange County sheriff deputies arrested 12-year-old Gregory McDonald and 10-year-old Alphonzo Harris, who are accused of dogfighting at a home in Orlando. A neighbor called officers claiming that the boys buried a dead dog near his property.

BOYS FACE JUDGE: Watch Video | See Images IMAGES: Home Where Dead Dog Was Found DOCUMENT: Boys’ Arrest Affidavit INTERVIEW: Neighbors On Dogfighting

The officer knocked on the door of the home and the boys answered. Alphonzo’s mother, Latosha Harris, came to the door, as well, and the deputy informed her that he was called the home due to reports of dogfighting and a possible dead dog buried in their back yard.

Latosha Harris then stated to her son, “Alphonzo, you better not have buried them dogs back there.” His mother then pushed Alphonzo out the door saying, “Take him and Greg to jail, they always having police come to my house and always stealing bikes and dogs.”

Eyewitness News talked to neighbors (full interview) who say they have heard of the kids stealing dogs in the past.

“I had puppy pit bull, beautiful light-colored eyes. He was out in the yard at night. When I went back to get him, it was gone,” neighbor Sharon Longley said. “We looked all over the neighborhood. We didn’t find him. My neighbor told me about these kids who were stealing dogs, but I didn’t know where they lived. We never found the dog.”

An Orange County Animal Services’ officer arrived on scene and said that she had been to the location numerous times in the past. Also in the report, the officer stated that a puppy ran out of the house and Alphonzo picked the animal up by the neck and began striking it on the head several times until the deputy stopped him.

The Animal Services officer began digging in the area where the dead dog was apparently located; Alphonzo then moved some dirt and grabbed the dead pit bull’s leash. The boys had buried the female pit bull in a shallow grave.

According to neighbors, Alphonzo’s mother says she can’t do anything and they are out of control.

The other boy, Gregory McDonald, told an officer that after the dog died he stabbed it.

“It’s sad and it’s scary that someone would actually kill the dogs, to actually cut the dogs, it’s inhumane,” Longley said.

The sheriff’s office doesn’t believe the boys have a criminal record. They are facing felony charges for animal cruelty and fighting and baiting animals and face up to five years in jail.

Investigators said there may have been other kids involved, at least two.

A trial date was set for January 28.