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EXPLOITED 13 PIT BULLS IN VIOLATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE ACT
Charged with 9 counts of federal Animal Welfare Act violations, JM (50), from Hanson, Massachusetts, was arrested in late March for possessing 13 pit bulls which were allegedly used for dogfighting purposes.
According to the criminal indictment, upon entering his home, JM was found to have items associated with a “dogfighting venture” – to wit: ‘intravenous infusion equipment, syringes, anabolic steroids, a skin stapler, forceps, equipment and literature for training dogs including a slat mill and a flirt pole, break sticks used to separate fighting dogs and a breeding stand used to immobilize female dogs during breeding.’
The government’s civil forfeiture complaint also alleges that JM had dogfighting related photos posted on his social media account and posted videos of animals tied to a “treadmill-like-device” being prepped for fights.
With each count, JM faces up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The United States must establish that the dogs are subject to forfeiture by a preponderance of the evidence.
Think he’s a dead dog?
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