Public Anger Over Alleged Dogfighter Directed To Suspect's Employer

Froman said he's worked his whole life to maintain a good reputation and doesn't condone the actions of his employee.<br />

Friday, August 2nd 2013, 6:28 pm

By: News On 6

Public Anger Over Alleged Dogfighter Directed To Suspect's Employer

An Okmulgee man was arrested last week for dogfighting.

After watching and reading our story, several outraged News On 6 viewers tracked down the accused, Garrett Bump, on Facebook.

Then they began to focus their anger on his employer, Froman Welding. Froman Welding's owner said people began calling, emailing and faxing threats.

He said he didn't know anything about the dogfighting, had nothing to do with the dogfighting and doesn't condone dogfighting.

He just wants the threats to stop.

Rogers County deputies say cell phone video shows Bump coaching dogs in fights. When we first ran the story of Bump's arrest, many people were outraged.

Lance Froman said he came to work the next day and was shocked.

"One, two days ago called and threatened me and Garrett," Froman said. "I don't know. It's crazy."

Many of the people making threats are from out of state, California, Tennessee and Minnesota.

Froman said he's worked his whole life to maintain a good reputation for his family and business and can't believe he's being trashed when he had nothing to do with Bump's alleged actions and didn't even know about it.

"I've told a bunch of people about it, and they can't believe it either," Froman said.

He says at first, he just blew it off, but when the threats got more serious, he filed a report with the Rogers County Sheriff's Office.

The department put a watch order on Froman's home and business just in case.

"We'd certainly prosecute and arrest anyone who followed through on one of these threats or harassing phone calls," Sheriff Scott Walton said. "We'd put them in jail with the dogfighter."

At this point, Lance just wants it to stop. He doesn't understand why he's become the misdirected target of people's anger.

"I don't know what to think about it," Froman said.

Bump and the other person arrested, Casilyn Morgan are still in the Rogers County jail.

Investigators say her employer also has received threats.