Case Details

Suspected fighting-dogs found dead in woods
Waterford, ME (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Apr 2, 2004
County: Oxford
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 2203
Classification: Fighting
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Reward: $2,500
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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing two puppies whose bodies were found in a wooded area near the Sweden-Waterford town line on April 2.

On that day, Dick McGoldrick, animal control officer for 10 towns in Western Maine, picked up the deceased male and female pit bull puppies after responding to a call from a passerby who had made the gruesome discovery. Both dogs were lying on a piece of heavy ground equipment in the woods that border the South Waterford Road. The female pit bull exhibited lacerations and puncture wounds on her face, throat and front legs, and a piece of twine had been wrapped around her neck, according to McGoldrick.� McGoldrick estimates that both dogs were 10 to 12-weeks-old and each weighed 15 to 20 pounds. The male dog had brindle coloring and the female was tan. The cause of death is still unknown, but based on the dogs' breed and the type of injuries on the female, investigators are speculating that they may have been used for dogfighting.�

Dogfighting is a sadistic contest in which two dogs - specifically bred, conditioned and trained to fight - are placed in a pit to fight each other, for the spectators' gambling and entertainment. Participants may use bait dogs or other small animals to train their dogs for combat. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs is no longer willing or able to continue.

The dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection hours or even days after the fight. Dogs may be killed by their owners as punishment for losing a fight.� Dogfighting is found in both urban and rural areas around the country.�

Dogfighting is a felony crime in Maine and carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a $500 minimum fine for each violation. According to McGoldrick, "I feel certain by the way these dogs were lying in the woods that this was no accident."

"Although the exact cause of death has not yet been determined in this case, the discovery of these puppies should prompt great concern both in terms of animal cruelty and the presence of organized, underground dogfighting rings," notes Hillary Twining, program coordinator for the HSUS New England Regional Office.�

Dick McGoldrick, who also serves as the constable for the town of Sweden, is investigating this case.� Anyone with information about these dogs is asked to contact McGoldrick at (207) 452-2323.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Dick McGoldrick
(207) 452-2323

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References

HSUS
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