Dog-fighting, dogs neglected - Paterson, NJ

Friday, Aug 10, 2007

County: Passaic

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Michael Coleman

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A house used as a training ground for illegal dog fights was raided August 10, 2007, authorities said. At least one man was arrested.

Michael Coleman, 26, of Manchester Avenue, was charged with three counts of animal cruelty for housing his dogs in small outdoor cages and keeping them without adequate food and water, Chief Animal Control Officer John DeCando said. Coleman may also face narcotics charges for drugs seized in the raid, authorities said.

Three pit bulls were taken from the Manchester Avenue house. Ranging from 2 to 8 years old, the dogs were taken to a veterinarian for examination, DeCando said. One dog had a slight wound under its neck, while others showed bite marks, he said. They will not be put up for adoption. "They're fighters," he said.

The raid, performed by officers from the Paterson Police Department's narcotics squad and animal control unit, was the product of a police investigation. "They were watching it. The opportunity was there," DeCando said. Also seized were two treadmills used to train the animals. Made from wood and metal and appearing homemade, the treadmills were covered in grime and, DeCando said, dried blood.

Billy Martin, an officer from the Passaic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said wires on the treadmills were used to keep the animals in place. Other residents of the Manchester Avenue home, who declined to provide their names, said they themselves exercised on the treadmills. They said the dogs were simply pets. A Dodge Magnum sports wagon parked at the residence was also seized by police.

DeCando said Coleman, if convicted, will face fines up to $1,000 and six months in jail for each of the animal cruelty charges.

Case Updates

Police in New Jersey are looking for three pitbulls that were stolen from a local animal shelter. The theft might not be noteworthy except the dogs were allegedly being used for dog fighting and they were evidence in the crime. Chief animal control officer John DeCando says there was $3,000 dollar worth of damage. But more importantly, three dogs that were rescue -- possibly from dog fighting -- were stolen from the safety of the shelter. It happened last night. Thieves broke into the front of the shelter and made their way to the back, slicing through the chain link fence. The chief believes whoever took these dogs had to be familiar with them because two of the dogs were far from being docile creatures. "They're not friendly dogs. Two of them are not friendly and one was iffy," DeCando said. The pitbulls -- two females and one male -- were seized on August 11th from a house on Manchester Avenue in Paterson on suspicion they were being trained to bite. DeCando says the dogs showed signs of a scuffle. Police also have a blood stained treadmill from the home. A knock at the door today went unanswered, but neighbors say those dogs were dangerous. "I remember a couple of dogs got loose and everybody had to run inside cause they were worried they were going to bite people ... I'm like worried," a neighbor told us. Police say they did ask the previous owners and they said they have absolutely nothing to do with this. The shelter said these dogs are not good for pets that's why they want them back. The Humane Society and a donor have put up a $3500 dollar reward. If you have any information you're asked to call Paterson Police.

Source: 7Online - Aug 27, 2007 Update posted on Aug 29, 2007 - 2:48AM

References

• NorthJersey.Com - August 11, 2007

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