A D.C. man suspected of running an organized dog-fighting operation was arrested last week on charges of felony animal fighting. Police and the Humane Rescue Alliance searched the man’s Congress Heights property last July and found 12 dogs, several of them displaying injuries consistent with dog fighting, and a five-foot-long alligator being kept in a plastic tub filled with a few inches of water.

The HRA identified the man as Jaquan Jackson of Southeast D.C.

Jackson first found himself on officials’ radar last June, when one of his dogs reportedly jumped over a fence on his property and hanged itself from a chain. Officers arrived on scene to find that the dog had died, and that it had scarring around its muzzle, indicative of dog fighting.

In July, an anonymous tipster told HRA about the alligator being housed on the property. The organization obtained a search warrant and, on July 25, found the alligator in the basement of Jackson’s home, being kept in a cramped plastic blue rubbermaid container with a small amount of water. The alligator was too large for the container, according to HRA, causing its tail to curve completely around. When the alligator was later taken to a conservation center, a specialist said that it showed “abnormal curvature of the lower jaw” caused by the constant lack of space.

It was suspected at the time that the alligator was being kept to fight with dogs also found at the property. 

When they were executing the search warrant for the alligator, animal control officers noticed dog-fighting paraphernalia in the house. The next day, officers executed another search warrant and seized 12 dogs, six puppies and six adults. Four of the dogs had scarring and injuries consistent with dog fighting. One of the dogs eventually had to have one of her limbs amputated due to infected wounds, according to HRA.

Officers also seized multiple computers, tablets, and phones, where they found photos and videos displaying graphic images of animal cruelty. One video showed a rabbit in a small room trying to escape an attacking dog, while the person filming encouraged the dog and kept the rabbit from escaping. Another video showed young dogs being encouraged to attack one another.

Jackson turned himself into police last week, according to the HRA press release. Other charges will be presented to a grand jury, the press release says. Jackson was arraigned in D.C. Superior Court last week and released, according to the Washington Post.