Reputed dogfighter disappears; police believe he's hiding

Where's David Townsend Jr.?

Law enforcement officials and relatives of the 33-year-old man are speculating his whereabouts after he disappeared less than two months after being freed from jail on unrelated drug charges.

Townsend, left, is believed to have knowledge of an unsolved slaying in southeast Texas, leading his mother and his lawyer to say they think he may have met with foul play -- possibly to keep him from talking about the growing underground world of high-stakes dogfights.

His mother, Beverly Garrison Feutral, said he dropped out of sight after going to Acres Homes, a high-crime area of Houston, to "take care of some business and get some money that was owed to him." That business, Feutral and others say, may have involved a money transaction for pit bulls.

Police, on the other hand, believe he is alive and well -- possibly hiding in the thick woods of southeast Texas.

"He's alive," said Montgomery County Sheriff's Lt. Philip Cash. "It was his plan from the get-go that as soon as he got out of jail, he would" jump bail.

Local, state and federal investigators wanted to talk to Townsend about Thomas Weigner, a renowned dogfighter and breeder of pit bulls (like the one pictured above from the Star-Telegram archives).

Weigner was shot to death in August 2006.

Read more in this report by Staff Writer Jack Douglas Jr.

Comments

[joe franciscus]

Mr. Townsend, please turn yourself in.

I thank the author for the warning of actual dogs fighting. I ask what is the point of showing a dog fight? everyone knows it is wrong and a horrible thing, I think you are trying to create hysteria, only those with some interest would watch such a thing. Do you send the police contact information as to who clicks on a dog fight video? I think you should.

Mr. Townsend, you have been involved with some very bad activity and you must pay the piper, turn yourself in.

They got you on the weigner murder, your mother thinks someone will want to end your life, bring peace to yoyr mom and turn yourself in.

Call the texas rangers, they will ensure your safety, you will be safer with them than the hoodlems you are hanging with who just might want to hang you to shut you up.

your daughter will be proud of you some day if you become a stand up guy and turn yourself in.

If you are afraid of the police, then contact the bail bondsman who helped you and turn yourself in to him or one of his investigators.