89 Pit Bulls rescued after one of New York biggest dogfighting rings is busted, prosecutors said

Nearly 90 pups were rescued as investigators busted one of the largest dog fighting rings in New York, prosecutors announced.

Ten people now face charges in connection to the operation.

Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced this week the arrests over the alleged interstate dogfighting ring that stretched from New York to Connecticut. Sini also announced the rescue of 89 dogs – 81 in New York and 8 in Connecticut – as part of the bust.

“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,” Sini said in announcing the bust.

Officers infiltrated the dogfighting ring operation and identified the suspects. Sini also reported that the dogfighting ring was operating across Long Island, New York City, as well as in several other states such as Connecticut.

“These arrests represent a significant blow to dogfighting, certainly here on Long Island and we believe it will have impacts throughout the Northeast,” Sini said.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s press release, the suspects had the dogs – all pit bulls – have practice fights once they were close to 6 months old.

Once the pit bulls were old enough and determined to be able to fight, a dogfight would be organized based on the dogs’ sex and weight. The owner of the winning dogfighter would win a large sum of money.

The suspects are also accused of placing bets on the outcomes of the different dogfights, which can reportedly last several hours and result in the death of the losing dog, according to prosecutors.

On July 31 and Aug. 1 numerous search warrants were executed by law enforcement at three locations in Nassau County and one location in Brooklyn.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the 89 dogs were found without food and water in the basements, garages and sheds of the searched locations. Many of the dogs also reportedly displayed various medical conditions consistent with dogfighting.

The following people were charged:

• William Ashton is charged with two counts of violation of the prohibition of animal fighting and possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Jontae Barker is charged with Violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and three counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Edward Hodge is charged with violation of the prohibition of animal fighting, a felony; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance); fifrth-degree conspiracy in the fifth degree and two counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Darrel Madison is charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; two counts of violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and three counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Jeffrey Spencer is charged with violation of the prohibition of animal fighting and possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Paul Whelan is charged with two counts of violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and two counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Jerome Chapman is charged with two counts of violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and three counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Timothy Eury is charged with violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and firth-degree conspiracy.
• Charles Macwhinnie is charged with violation of the prohibition of animal fighting and two counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.
• Joseph Owens is charged with violation of the prohibition of animal fighting; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) and three counts of possessing animal fighting paraphernalia.