Dog-fighting
Mt. Olive, NJ (US)Date: Sep 2, 2005
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged Abuser: Melvin Alston
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A scarred, pit bull terrier that was kept in a small cage in a darkened closet and that may have been used for illegal dog fighting, was rescued by authorities on Sept 2 and its owner was charged with cruelty to animals.
Along with the animal, authorities found at the Oakwood Village apartment, two tread mills that had been modified for use by a dog. Also seized were quantities of drugs believed to be used to enhance animal strength for fighting, according to Animal Control Officer William Cirone.
The animal�s owner, Melvin Alston, told authorities that he did not use the dog for fighting but rather was grooming it for pet, muscle shows, Cirone said.
Alston was charged with possessing and training a pit bull for the purpose of fighting; overworking a pit bull for the purpose of training for fighting; illegally possessing prescription legend drugs; four counts of cruelty; and four violations of local ordinances. Alston was released in his own recognizance pending a court hearing. Alston was charged with possessing and training a pit bull for the purpose of fighting; overworking a pit bull for the purpose of training for fighting; illegally possessing prescription legend drugs; four counts of cruelty; and four violations of local ordinances. Alston was released in his own recognizance pending a court hearing.
Authorities have placed the dog in the care of a veterinarian pending a court hearing on charges lodged against Alston.
Cirone said the female pit bull named �Missy,� believed to be two to three years old, had scars on its body that could have been from fighting with other pit bulls.
Cirone said he would petition the court to permanently seize the dog if Alston is convicted or pleads guilty. The animal will be returned to Alston if he not convicted.
Officer Matt Gumann, Cirone and his assistant, Frank Nelson, arrived at the apartment to find no one home and the garage door closed. Cirone said he heard what sounded to be the whining and whimpering of an animal coming from a locked room off the garage.
An apartment superintendent was called to remove the door from its hinges. Inside, authorities discovered the 37 pound female dog in a two-foot by two-foot cage. There was no food or water. The room was completely dark and stuffy as a ventilation opening was plugged shut with a sock, Cirone said.
Two treadmills were discovered that were apparently used for dog training. A harness system and plywood sides on the treadmills were apparently to keep the dog on the machines, Cirone said.
Also found was a training collar, used to strengthen animals, that was loaded with an estimated 20 pounds of sand. Cirone said typically the dog is fitted with the collar and then placed on the treadmill to increase its strength for fighting.
There were also two large boxes containing apparent, human iron supplements that are sometimes used to build up and strengthen fighting dogs, the animal control officer said.
The dog had no license or evidence of having had rabies shots. It had healed scars on its face, neck and legs that are typically associated with fighting, Cirone said. The dog also had an infection in its paws and was slightly underweight but that it would probably recover.
A pet cat found in the garage also was seized. It also was unlicensed, Cirone said.
Cirone said a note was left at the garage notifying Alston of the incident and that subsequently Alston went to police headquarters where he was served with the summonses. He told authorities that he had the dog for about six months and was grooming her for muscle shows.
�I�ve never heard of such a thing,� said Cirone.
Alston also said he had the treadmills to give the dog exercise. He said the apartment complex does not permit tenants to have pets and that he could not walk the dog in the area, according to Cirone.
Also called to the scene was Samantha Mullen, an investigator with the Flanders office of the Human society of the United States.
�Abuse of pit bulls is rampant throughout the country,� said Mullen.
She said the society estimates there are more than 40,000 organized dog fighters. Pit bulls are typically used because they are so powerful and have been bred to be aggressive towards other dogs.
Mullen said fighting usually falls into either of two categories. Youth gangs often keep pit bulls and pair them with other dogs in less organized fights in parks and alleyways.
But others who organize fights are much more serious about making money. Mullen said there is a widespread underground dog fighting network that uses code words in its websites on the Internet.
�Dog fighting has been entrenched in this country for decades,� Mullen said. �These people have a network and they transport dogs from around the United States.�
The more successful fighting pit bulls are often bred to produce fighting offspring. Authorities have often found that the more organized dog fighters live and house their dogs in rural areas. They also change websites frequently to try and evade authorities. References« Back to Search Results
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