Couple plead not guilty in dogfight case

MALAD, Idaho – An eastern Idaho couple arrested last week during a police raid on their home near Malad has pleaded not guilty to dogfighting charges.

Andy Willard, 23, pleaded not guilty Thursday to five misdemeanor dogfighting counts in Oneida County Magistrate Court. His wife, Tiffany Willard, 24, pleaded not guilty to one dogfighting count, court officials said.

Magistrate Judge David L. Evans set a pretrial conference for Sept. 20 and forwarded the Willards’ request for a public defender to the 6th District Court.

The Willards were arrested last week after police investigating illegal drugs raided their home.

At the time, police said they seized marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia and equipment for growing the plant. Both of the Willards were arraigned last week on one count of manufacturing a controlled substance and one count of manufacturing a controlled substance with a child present.

But police also discovered 30 pit bull terriers, blood evidence and other equipment believed to be used on dogfighting. According to police reports, Andy Willard acknowledged he fought the dogs in his garage more than five times, usually for friends, and never allowed guests to bet money on the outcomes.

The dogs disappeared hours after the raid, and Oneida County Sheriff Jeff Semrad has explained that someone watching the property removed the dogs after a deputy posted at the home was called away to handle an emergency.

Semrad said he believes the dogs – 26 adults and four puppies – are no longer in Oneida County, but the search continues.

“We have had several tips as to where the dogs might be,” Semrad told the Idaho State Journal on Wednesday. “We are working with other agencies.”

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the dogs.

Under Idaho law, dogfighting carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $300 fine. Idaho is one of just two states – Wyoming is the other – that makes dogfighting a misdemeanor.

The Willards were released Thursday on $20,000 bonds that each posted last week in the drug case.

State lawmakers and Gov. Butch Otter have recently vowed to push for tougher penalties in the wake of the dogfighting case involving NFL quarterback Michael Vick.