Police arrest Fresno man on dog fighting charges

A Fresno man sought by police after it was reported that he was inciting pit bull dogs to fight was taken into custody Wednesday evening and booked into the Fresno County Jail.

Avery McLemore, 46, was arrested after an officer located him walking with a dog on North Crystal Avenue near West Olive Avenue, according to police spokesman Lt. Mark Hudson.

Police issued a warrant for McLemore’s arrest after a citizen with a camera recorded him encouraging two pit bulls to fight on April 22, according to a police flier.

He was booked into Fresno County Jail on a charge of causing or training dogs to fight on a $10,000 bond.

Hudson said the dog was also secured by officers so that it could be turned over to the SPCA. SPCA officials were not available Thursday to confirm that they had custody of the animal.

This story was originally published May 2, 2019 at 10:09 AM.