Over 120 dogs rescued from illegal, barbaric, cruel dogfighting network

New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, in collaboration with the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police announced on Friday that eight people have been arrested and charged after law enforcement executed search warrants at a Cumberland County compound and two other locations related to a dogfighting network.  On April 3, a search was executed at the Cumberland County compound following an intensive investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, the New Jersey State Police, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Two other associated locations were also searched, including a residence in Atlantic County.

The operation led to the rescue of more than 100 dogs that had been bred and trained to fight. Veterinarians from the Humane Society of the United States were on the scene to perform medical evaluations and provide care for the dogs.

Some dogs were observed with significant scarring and untreated wounds, according to the Humane Society. Several dogs were also emaciated, including pregnant and nursing mothers.

“We know that on multiple instances dogs were strapped to an ATV and forced to run at speeds as high as 14 miles an hour, often for long periods of time,” Platkin said at the news conference Friday. “In at least one instance, even exceeding an hour.  ~ USA Today

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The operation also resulted in the filing of criminal charges against an Atlantic County man, Bruce “Hollywood” Low, Jr., 44, of Milmay.

Several of Low’s family members, plus other alleged co-conspirators, were also charged, along with two limited liability companies: Royal Bull Kennels (RBK), a dog-breeding business, and the construction company Kisdir Group, which allegedly laundered the proceeds of criminal activity.

“Profiting from dogfighting is callous, brutal, and cruel,” Attorney General Platkin said. “These animals are born into lives of abuse, suffering, and violence, culminating with hours-long fights and frequently these dogs’ slow and painful deaths. The alleged illegal activities that were uncovered by this investigation will not go unpunished.”

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“What’s striking is the level of suffering involved in dogfighting contrasted with how sweet and eager for affection these dogs are,” said Janette Reever, animal crimes investigations program manager for the Humane Society of the United States. “Though they were shivering in the cold rain, these dogs still left their meager shelters to greet us. We are grateful to the New Jersey State Police for their hard work and dedication to put a stop to this cycle of suffering.”

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Bruce Low, Jr. is facing numerous charges, including:

• Racketeering (2nd degree);
• Conspiracy (2nd degree);
• Money Laundering (2nd degree);
• Misconduct by a Corporate Official (2nd degree);
• Leader of a Dogfighting Network (2nd degree);
• Promoting Organized Street Crime (2nd degree);
• Dogfighting by possessing, keeping and/or training a dog for a fight (3rd degree);
• Dogfighting for gambling on the outcome (3rd degree);
• Possession of dogfighting paraphernalia (3rd degree);
• Cruelty to Animals (4th degree);
• Falsifying Records (4th degree); and
• Identity Theft (4th degree).

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The following other defendants have also been arrested and charged in this matter:

• Terri A. Low, 67, of Maurice River, Low’s mother and alleged business partner
• Bryce J. Low, 20, of Maurice River, son of Low, Jr. and dog handler
• Roosevelt Hart IV, 29, of Milmay, son-in-law of Low, Jr. and alleged kennel partner in training
• Coy Glenn Dickenson, 58, of Maurice River, dog trainer
• Travis J. Garron, 38, of Port Elizabeth, dog trainer/handler
• Mark A. Runkle, 42, of Maurice River, dog handler
• William McClinton, 68, of Maurice River, dog breeder

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All of the defendants have been charged with racketeering (2nd degree), while certain defendants have additionally been charged with money laundering (2nd degree) and a series of dogfighting charges, including conspiracy to engage in dogfighting; possessing, keeping and/or training a dog for a fight; possessing dogfighting paraphernalia; buying, selling or breeding a dog for a fight; and possessing, keeping and/or training a dog for a fight.

For more on the recent animal rescue in New Jersey, see the video accompanying tis article.

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(Source: Office of the Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, State of New Jersey)

(Canine photos are for demonstration purposes only, Image credits: RDW Productions)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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