DMX Arrested For Animal Cruelty To Pit Bulls and Drugs Possession

Rapper DMX, 37, born Earl Simmons was arrested Friday on drug and animal cruelty charges at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona.

DMX, 37, born Earl Simmons was arrested Friday on drug and animal cruelty charges at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona after attempting to barricade himself in, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. The rapper barricaded himself in his bedroom but eventually came out and did not resist the officers and was then later booked into jail.

At around 3 a.m. Friday morning, a search warrant was issued at the rapper’s home in which the deputies found weapons and drugs which brought on drug charges. Five pit bull mix puppies were stated to have been taken from the rapper’s home by an animal control unit and were to be taken to a jail where they are to be cared for by female inmates, according to reports.

The rapper’s lawyer, Murray Richman, stated in August that while his client was on tour, a caretaker was watching his dogs and that the rapper was upset over the treatment of his dogs which they usually make cameos in his videos. According to deputies, during that time, a raid took place in which 12 pit bulls and pit bull mixes were seized after a report that the animals were being abused. Authorities stated that some of the dogs appeared to have not been fed or watered, but there was no evidence of dogfighting. The bodies of three dogs were allegedly found partially burned on the property, while one dog may have been burned.

The caretaker is stated to have fed and watered the dogs according to his attorney, but didn’t bring them in from the summer heat in Arizona.

DMX faces seven misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and four felony drug possession charges.

This is not the first time the Ruff Ryder rapper has faced animal cruelty. In 1999, DMX faced cruelty charges in New Jersey that was dismissed after he agreed to record public service announcements for an animal rights group and assume responsibility.

Also on this past Wednesday, DMX was arrested on charges of racing on a highway after speed cameras in Phoenix caught him speeding at the rate of 114 mph. The rapper was booked on charges of racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed and driving on a suspended license.