Convicted felon arrested on dogfighting, weapons charges

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - A convicted felon was recently arrested on dogfighting and weapons charges, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. announced today.

Eric L. Wiggins, 41, was taken into custody after search of his Harrison Township home, conducted after a dog was found dead and hanging from a window.

Inside the Salisbury Drive home they found nine additional dogs as well as a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun, according to Heck. Heck also said there were indications that the dogs were being used for dogfighting.

Wiggins is charged with two counts of dogfighting, one count of possession of criminal tools, 10 counts cruelty to companion animals, and one count of having weapons while under disability.

Wiggins is prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms because of prior convictions for involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, aggravated robbery and carrying concealed weapons.

He was arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on Jan. 11, 2013.