Police rescue 89 pitbulls and arrest ten Long Island men in one of largest dog fighting ring busts in NY history
- The investigation spanned Long Island, NYC, Connecticut and Massachusetts
- It found organizers would breed dogs to fight and bet on the match outcomes
- Some fights saw dogs killed, wile defendants would kill those that got injured
- Ten men are now facing maximum sentences of four years in prison, a $25,000 file, or both - another is facing an additional 20 years for drugs charges
Police have rescued 89 dogs and arrested ten men over a massive dog fighting ring on Long Island where pit bulls were bred and trained to fight for cash.
The takedown of the dog fighting organization is one of the largest of its kind in New York State history, and comes after an investigation was opening in 2021.
Spanning Long Island, New York City, Connecticut and Massachusetts - the probe involved several local, county and state law enforcement organizations and culminated in charges being brought against ten defendants.
More than dogs were rescued and 10 men arrested in Suffolk County on Monday for one of the largest dog fighting ring takedowns in New York State history. Pictured: A rescuer carries one of the dogs away following a raid on a property where the dogs were being kept
It revealed that the defendants would prepare puppies as young as six months old to participate in practise fights - known as 'rolls' - to determine their fighting potential.
When they became adults, the dogs were subject to cruel living conditions and forced to incessantly train for fights.
According to investigators, once it was determined a dog was prepared to fight, a 'broker' would organize matches based on its height and weight.
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A willing opponent would then pay a buy-in fee, also known as a 'forfeit', to enter their own dog into a fight, the officials said. The owner of the winning dog would receive all the winnings.
Others would also bet on the outcome of the brutal fights, which could see dogs seriously injure or kill eachother. Defendants would kill those that were seriously injured or under performed in the fight, officials said.
The defendants would also make money from breeding and then selling dogs deemed to have good fighting pedigree.
The investigation, which began earlier this year, involved several local, county and state law enforcement organizations across Long Island, New York City, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Pictured: Six dogs are kept in dire conditions
It revealed that the defendants would prepare puppies as young as six months old to participate in practise fights - known as 'rolls' - to determine their fighting potential. Pictured: One of the dogs rescued following the investigation that led to 10 arrests
Pictured: A dog is checked over after being rescued from one of the residences that were raided during the investigations. Searches were carried out across July 31 and August 1 on nine residents in Suffolk County, three in Nassau County and one in Brooklyn
Searches were carried out across July 31 and August 1 on nine residents in Suffolk County, three in Nassau County and one in Brooklyn.
In the process, 81 dogs were rescued. An additional eight dogs were rescued in Connecticut, taking the total of rescued dogs to 89.
Pictures from the raids showed the dire conditions in which the dogs were kept in, with a variety of breeds found in tiny cages lined with wood shavings. Rescuers were shown carrying dogs one-by-one to safety.
Other pictures from the Suffolk County police station showed evidence collected during the raids, including stacks of bank notes, firearms, muzzles, models of dog skeletons, electric cables and a wooden pen presumably used as a 'ring'.
Other disturbing dog fighting paraphernalia was also found, including 'rape stands' - used to immobilize female dogs for breeding - as well as skin staplers, steroids and supplements, devices used to electrocute the dogs, 'break sticks' used to stop fights and dog training equipment such as treadmills.
Officials were assisted in their rescue by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who recovered the dogs found living in basements, garages and sheds. Some had no food or water, officials said.
According to investigators, once it was determined a dog was prepared to fight, a 'broker' would organize matches based on its height and weight. Pictured: A rescuer carries one of the dogs away from a building after it was rescued either on July 31 or August 1
A willing opponent would pay a buy-in fee, also known as a 'forfeit', to enter their own dog into a fight, the officials said. The owner of the winning dog would receive all the winnings. Pictured: A dog inside an animal carrier after being rescued
'Many of the dogs displayed various medical conditions consistent with dogfighting, including scarring and broken teeth, and were exhibiting fearful behavior,' the DA's office said in a statement.
Officials said the ten defendants each face a maximum sentence of four years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both. Their ages range from 32 - 80. In addition. one of the defendants faces up to 20 further years in prison for drug charges.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini said a special grand jury will investigate the case to make future legal recommendations on how to further prevent animal cruelty in the future.
'The Special Grand Jury will be considering recommendations we can make to strengthen the laws on animal cruelty and further protect animals from this kind of senseless abuse,' Sini said. 'We need to hold these bad actors accountable for their violent actions and these crimes need to be treated seriously under our law.'
'We will not tolerate these types of crimes – crimes that injure and, in many cases, result in the death of vulnerable animals.
'Many of us have dogs as pets in our homes and we love them as another family member. This case is about how a criminal network bred dogs, tortured them, and put them in serious harm's way just to make a buck.
'These arrests represent a significant blow to dogfighting, certainly here on Long Island and we believe it will have impacts throughout the Northeast.'
Pictures from the raids showed the dire conditions in which the dogs were kept in, with a variety of breeds found in tiny cages lined with wood shavings (pictured). Rescuers were shown carrying dogs one-by-one to safety from a building
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini said a special grand jury will investigate the case to make future legal recommendations on how to further prevent animal cruelty in the future
NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was also quoted in the statement, saying: 'The NYPD will continue to enforce the laws that protect animals and ensure those who abuse them are brought to justice.'
Elizabeth Brandler, Senior Counsel for ASPCA Legal Advocacy & Investigations and 'This brutal case involving dozens of victimized animals demonstrates that dogfighting persists in every corner of America, requiring that we remain diligent in our effort to eradicate animal fighting across the country.
'We are grateful that the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and Suffolk County Police Department chose to work with us on this complex case and for their commitment to stopping these despicable crimes, rescuing the animals involved, and bringing the perpetrators to justice.'
