Commonwealth v. Santiago

This case presents the issue whether the presence of a “pit bull” in a house to be searched provides probable cause to issue a “no-knock” search warrant. The defendant, charged with various drug offenses and receipt of stolen property, moved *520successfully for suppression of the drugs and stolen property on which the charges were based.1 The items were seized pursuant to a search warrant issued by the clerk-magistrate of the Palmer Division of the District Court Department. The warrant authorized the police to enter the defendant’s residence without knocking and announcing their presence.…