The Region - News from Aug. 6, 1987

A trio of burglars has tried on two successive nights to release more than two dozen snarling pit bull terriers from the Riverside pound, where they are being held as evidence in a dogfighting case, Humane Society officers said. Both times, Society Director William Bellamy said, the intruders were chased off by guards, but one guard was clubbed on the head by an escaping burglar. Bellamy said the burglars were on their way to kennels containing 28 evil-tempered pit bulls confiscated from Tommy Johnson of Glen Avon, who faces trial on felony charges of possessing dogs trained for fighting. Authorities confiscated 25 pit bulls from Johnson on March 6, and one of the dogs subsequently delivered three puppies. Bellamy said he will recommend the animals be destroyed when the trial is over.