ASPCA article

On December 30, rapper DMX—known legally as Earl Simmons—pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, among other charges for theft and drug possession. The charges stem from a raid in August 2007, when Maricopa County sheriff's deputies descended on Simmons’s Arizona home, finding 12 malnourished pit bulls and the remains of three dogs.

To assist law enforcement officials in their efforts to prosecute Simmons, the ASPCA’s Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit was called into action. Leading the forensic investigation, the ASPCA’s Dr. Melinda Merck examined the remains of the dead dogs recovered from his property."I was very impressed with the level of commitment from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department on this case," says Dr. Merck. "I have worked with many different law enforcement agencies all over the country, and the team working on this investigation was extremely dedicated."

For the record, Simmons is a repeat offender—in 2002, the rapper pleaded guilty to 13 counts of animal cruelty, charges resulting from the neglect of 13 pit bulls. As a result of this most recent prosecution, the rapper faces at least 90 days in jail, can never again own any animals and must attend an animal offender treatment program. A parole violation would send him to jail for more than 10 years. A sentence hearing has been scheduled for January 30.

"The ASPCA is proud to have had its expert staff be a part of this important case," says ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "Dr. Merck's knowledge and practice of veterinary forensics is truly at the forefront of animal cruelty investigations. With stronger evidence collected by Dr. Merck, law enforcement officials and prosecutors are able to get stronger convictions against those who commit these terrible acts."