One of the dogs recovered chained outside a home in Neptune.
Neptune police responded to an Embury Avenue house Sat. Feb. 3 after they received an anonymous call about animals in distress and discovered an alleged dog fighting ring.
When Monmouth County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers arrived on the scene, they followed a concrete path with fresh blood to a backyard with a garage and heard several barking dogs inside the locked structure.
They found six dogs all in separate crates lined with woodchips and soiled with their excrement. The dogs had scabs and scarring, body injuries, and punctures to their ears and mouths .
The SPCA officials said they could only assume that some of the dogs were being used as “bait dogs” in an alleged dog fighting ring.
Police at the scene collected syringes, IV bags, unknown medications including suspected animal steroids, two dog treadmills, and other paraphernalia.
A total of eight dogs were seized (six inside the garage, and two outside with heavy chains connected to dog houses) The occupants of the home were not cooperative, including one who was arrested at the scene by Neptune police for disorderly behavior.
MCSPCA Executive Director, Ross Licitra said, “Our Humane Law Enforcement Division, along with Neptune Police Department, and the Monmouth County Forensics unit worked late into the night to investigate this horrific scene and get the eight dogs to safety. All of the dogs are being cared for by our compassionate staff and can finally be free of fear and pain. With the power governed by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, we will be sure that the cruel offenders of this case will be charged to the highest extent of the law to reinforce that we do not tolerate animal cruelty in our community. We thank everyone who is able to contribute to the care of these dogs to get them healthy and rehabilitated for adoption”
– The SPCA is seeking donations to help support the medical care they’ll need for the potentially long time it may take while they remain with the nonprofit during this investigation.
Those wishing to donate can do so on Facebook or by visiting this link: bit.ly/neptunefightring.
