Franklin County is where Derrick Rayborn lives. What is interesting about him is that he and Sandi trade off dogs. In fact, she gave him Blaze a beautiful dog that did not deserve to die. Read this article: Scroll down the page to see the result of his guilty plea.
State-Journal article about this "man".
Video about his dogs: Channel 18 Video A picture is worth a thousand words
State-Journal.com
A former Franklin County animal control officer had 13 pit bull dogs seized from his property Thursday for alleged animal cruelty. For Derrick Rayborn, 29, of 4010 St. Johns Road, it was the second time in nine months a large number of pit bulls were seized from him by current county Animal Control Officer Todd Moore.
According to Franklin County District Court records, Rayborn was served a
summons in March 2007 on a charge of second-degree cruelty to animals. The
criminal complaint signed by Moore said 16 dogs owned by Rayborn appeared to
be "mistreated, malnourished or otherwise neglected."
Another court document, a March 2007 statement from veterinarian Gina
Yeargan, said she accompanied Moore to 4010 St. Johns Road.
"I was able to view eight pit bull dogs from the road " one whose ribs were
visible but had muscling on rear legs, hips and one whose body was hidden by
its dog house," Yeargan's statement said. "The other six were extremely
emaciated, three of which appeared weak by their stature and gait. This
condition definitely constitutes cruelty to animals."
Twelve of those pit bull mix dogs were taken to the Franklin County Humane
Society's animal shelter for temporary lodging.
"One of the dogs had to be euthanized because she ended up with a prolapsed
uterus," said Regina Mitchell, manager of the animal shelter, Friday.
Then on June 6, 2007, District Judge Guy Hart signed an agreed order in
which the dogs seized in the investigation were to be released to Rayborn.
One condition in the order was that Rayborn would allow "Franklin County law
enforcement, including but not limited to animal control, to inspect the
animals" on his property "at any time without prior notification."
That animal cruelty case is still pending in district court. A pretrial
conference is set for Wednesday and the trial is scheduled later in January.
Mitchell said Moore brought 13 pit bulls, belonging to Rayborn, to the
animal shelter Thursday " 10 new ones and three that had been previously
lodged at the shelter.
"When the animals came in the first time, we de-wormed them and nursed them
back to health," Mitchell said Friday. "You get attached to these animals.
They had gained weight and were happy. What hurts so much is they were
returned to the person who did this to them the first time. Then we get them
back in a worse condition than they were previously. They look horrible.
"I feel I have failed the animals by not making sure everything was right.
But that's something I have no control over. We can only house them and take
care of them while they are here at the shelter."
Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks said Friday a new complaint has been
presented to his office, and it's being investigated. But no charges had
been filed as of Friday afternoon.
Mitchell said the dogs being returned to the shelter also take up critical
space. They have to be put in separate cages, she said, "because they fight
when they're put together."
She said the shelter could use donations of puppy food, which provides more
vitamins and nutrients, and canned dog food, so they will eat more. "We're
feeding them two to three times a day," she said.
Neither Rayborn nor his attorney, Chris Olds, could be reached for comment
Saturday.
Derrick Rayborn pleads guilty to 13 counts of animal cruelty January 25, 2008
A former Franklin County animal control officer pleaded guilty to 13 counts of second-degree cruelty to animals Thursday in Franklin District Court.
Derek A. Rayborn, 29, of 4010 St. Johns Road, was sentenced to six months in jail by Judge Kathy Mangeot. He will have to serve 30 days, beginning Feb. 1, and the remaining five months will be suspended on several conditions.
Those conditions include that Rayborn not own or have any dogs in his possession for two years; not participate in any kennel clubs or dog-related events; and have no other criminal offenses for two years.
Rayborn also received a $6,500 fine ($500 on each count), but that was also suspended on the same conditions.
In the plea agreement, one count of harboring a vicious animal was dismissed.
Thirteen pit bull dogs were seized from Rayborn's property on Jan. 3 by current county Animal Control Officer Todd Moore. It was the second time in nine months a large number of pit bulls were seized in connection with animal cruelty charges.
A trial was set for Rayborn Thursday on one count each of animal cruelty and harboring a vicious animal " charges stemming from 2007. Then he would have still had to face the multiple animal cruelty charges from 2008 later.
"We were ready to go to trial but Derek, in the last minute, did what he thought was best for his family," said Chris Olds, Rayborn's attorney, after Thursday's plea and sentencing. "He knew the potential was there to face a lot of jail time and he didn't want to take that chance.
"I don't think this was a situation where Derek was intentionally trying to hurt any dogs. I think he had taken in more dogs than what he could take care of. I think he did the best he could."
Olds said Rayborn took in rescue dogs because he was afraid if not they would go to the Franklin County Humane Society's animal shelter, "and possibly have to be euthanized. So I think he was trying to do the right thing but he wasn't able to adequately take care of the dogs he had."
Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks said he was satisfied with the plea agreement.
"It accomplished the goals I had, which were to punish for the conduct and to ensure to the extent I could that Mr. Rayborn not have any dogs in the future," Sparks said.
Both times the pit bulls were seized from Rayborn, they were boarded at the local animal shelter.
Regina Mitchell, manager of the animal shelter, said she is satisfied with the plea agreement, "as long as (Rayborn) is monitored and abides by the conditions given to him. I feel justice was met for the animals. Franklin County citizens just need to keep their eyes open for this type of activity done to animals. It's especially important for the well being of the animals right now with the weather being so cold."
Mitchell said the shelter is closed today, as it was Thursday, because of the cold weather, "so the animals can all be inside the building with heat and plenty of blankets and food and water. We will reopen on Saturday."