Police: Harvey man was training dogs to fight

HARVEY (Sun-Times Media Wire) - A Harvey man has been charged with training dogs to fight at his south suburban home.

Tyran Johnson, 59, faces one count of possession of dogfighting equipment, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s police received a tip that Johnson was training dogs to fight at his home in the 14700 block of Washington Avenue in Harvey.

On Nov. 4, investigators executed a search warrant at his home and found four dogs, one of whom had scars and appeared to be underweight, another who had scars, another who was underweight and another who appeared to be healthy, according to the sheriff’s office.

They also found a modified treadmill and spring poles among other equipment associated with dogfighting.

Johnson was not home when the search warrant was executed, according to the sheriff’s office. He turned himself in to police Tuesday.

Johnson has two prior arrests for violations of animal owner’s duties, according to the sheriff’s office.  He received conditional discharge and court supervision.

The four dogs are currently being cared for at Chicago Animal Care and Control.