Long Island

89 pooches rescued in massive dog fighting bust on Long Island
By Patrick Reilly
August 9, 2021 10:27pm Updated

More than 80 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.

The dog fighting operation spanned from Long Island, New York City, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and included breeding, training and illegal fighting of pit bulls, an investigation by several local, county and state law enforcement agencies revealed.

The investigation, which began in early 2021, revealed that the defendants prepare pups as young as six months old for practice fights or “rolls” to determine their fighting potential. Throughout their adult lives, the dogs were subject to cruel living conditions and forced to train voraciously for fights,

A man rescuing a dog. from a dog fighting ring in Suffolk County, Long Island.
A man rescuing a dog from a dog fighting ring in Suffolk County, Long Island.


Once a dog was deemed prepared to fight, a “broker” would organize based on the dog’s height and weight, officials said. A willing opponent would pay a buy-in fee or “forfeit” to enter their dog into the fight, officials said. The victorious dog owner would receive all of the winnings.

Others would bet on the outcomes of the violent fights, in which the dogs can be seriously injured or killed. Dogs that were seriously injured or underperformed were killed by the defendants, the investigation found.

The defendants would also make money breeding and selling dogs deemed to have good fighting

Nine residents in Suffolk County, three in Nassau County and one in Brooklyn were searched on July 31 and Aug. 1, where 81 dogs were rescued. An additional eight dogs were rescued in Connecticut.

The bust resulted in the arrest of ten people in connection with the ring.
Suffolk County Districit Attorney
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helped in the recovery of the dogs, who were found in awful living conditions in basements, garages and sheds. Some had no food or water.

“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.


Searches revealed disturbing dog-fighting paraphernalia, according to officials, including “rape stands,” used to immobilize female dogs for bredding, skin staplers, steroids and supplements, devices used to electrocute dogs, “break sticks” used to break up fights, and dog training equipment like treadmills.

The ten defendants, whose ages range from 32-80, each face a maximum sentence of up to 4 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both, officials said. One defendant faces up to 20 years for additional drug possession charges.

A person involved with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helping rescue the dogs.
A person involved with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helping rescue the dogs.
Suffolk County Districit Attorney
The dog fighting ring spanned from New York to Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The dog fighting ring spanned from New York to Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Suffolk County Districit Attorney
A special grand jury will investigate the case, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said, to make future legal recommendations on effective animal cruelty

“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,” he 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,” Sini said in a statement. “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.”

The defendants would allegedly prepare the dogs for fighting as young as six months old.
The defendants would allegedly prepare the dogs for fighting as young as six months old.
Suffolk County Districit Attorney
The defendants all face up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both if convicted.
The defendants all face up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both if convicted.
Suffolk County Districit Attorney
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea chipped in 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 in need

FILED UNDER ANIMAL ABUSE ANIMAL RESCUE DOGS LONG ISLAND SUFFOLK COUNTY 8/9/21






https://nypost.com/2021/08/09/long-island-dog-fighting-bust-leads-to-89-pooches-rescu

 

Run your dog, not your mouth. Messed up for the dogs if they get behaviour tests like over here. A puppy/adult dog just has to look weird into the eyes of the consultant and they are refused to live on.

 

The dogs looked pretty healthy to me.

 

I agree the dogs I saw in the photos looked healthy. In fact, I noticed one of the dogs has a collar from a supplier than is often highly recommended here (I hesitate to mention the name as I don’t wish to imply they are related in any way).

Fact is this: They came for the money. The dogs are simply a means to the end. This is what modern law enforcement is really about… broad day robbery under the guise of morals. Hell, I’m still missing 10k that just seemed to up and disappear (unreported) after I caught a case (unrelated to dogs). I can guarantee the first thing those officers asked when breaching the properties was “where’s the money?!”

Sadly, these dogs will likely be put down so that law enforcement and spca can continue profiteering while minimizing overhead. Interesting how they decry the treatment of the animals, act as heroes and then treat the dogs in the same manner (locked in the very same cages with no exercise) and/or worse (death).

And so The pot calls the kettle black, while robbing him.

 

It seems that owning a few old books and a treadmill plus a breakingstick is enough to get someone's dogs killed. Give the dogs the very best of care such as always having water for them around to drink. Stay away from the rif raf and stay low as your dogs lives depend on it.

 

Or in Mr Bill’s case you might want to avoid having a feature article in the SDJ

 

Evidence photo

 

It’s pretty simple, don’t get into dog fighting unless you like prison.

 

Dogs and drugs don't mix! One of the men had a half kilo of coke... not a good idea.

https://patch.com/new-york/shirley-...aved-li-dog-fighting-ring-takedown-suffolk-da