Father, Son Indicted On Dog Fighting Charges In Harford County

WHITEFORD, MD — Authorities arrested and charged a Harford County father and son for their role in a dog-fighting conspiracy.

A federal grand jury indicted Theodore Lamont Stinson, 48, of Whiteford and Theodore Lamont Stinson, Jr., 25, of Whiteford for conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture; buying, selling, delivering, possessing, training or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture; use of postal service or other interstate instrumentality for promoting or furthering an animal fighting venture; and interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.

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Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the 12-count indictment Thursday.

According to the indictment, since at least April 2016 until their arrest, the Stinsons and their co-conspirators bought, sold, bred, trained and used pitbull-type dogs for dog fighting.

The father and son operated a kennel under the name "KLK," which they used to advertise their inventory of dogs. The duo kept dogs at their property for the purpose of selling, transporting and breeding dogs that they and their co-conspirators owned, the indictment stated.

Both men supervised the dogs while Stinson advised his son about proper care for them. The father and son both arranged transportation for the dogs for sales and breeding. Stinson often arranged transportation for dog sales while Stinson, Jr., drove them to their intended destinations, authorities said.

On July 17, 2025, the Harford County Sheriff's Office and its animal control unit executed warrants at Stinson's residence. During the search, investigators found 44 pit bull-type dogs, veterinary medication and supplies, a breeding stand, a "spring pole/rope" accessory used to train and condition fighting dogs and paperwork relating to dog sales and pedigrees, according to court documents.

If convicted, Stinson and Stinson, Jr. each face up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture, along with up to five years for buying, selling, delivering, possessing, training or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.

The father and son also are facing up to five years for use of the postal service or other interstate instrumentality for promoting or furthering an animal fighting venture; and interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.