3 LI residents charged with running dogfighting ring

<p>Police say they broke up a major dogfighting ring on Long Island that involved dozens of pit bulls being tortured and trained to fight for profit.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 19, 2017, 5:07 PM

Updated 2,374 days ago

Share:

Police say they broke up a major dogfighting ring on Long Island that involved dozens of pit bulls being tortured and trained to fight for profit.
Late last month, investigators from the state attorney general's office, Suffolk police and the ASPCA removed dozens of pit bulls from two homes in Wyandanch. Officials announced Thursday that it was part of a take down of a dogfighting ring that they dubbed "Operation Bloodline."
Officials say Richard Davis, Martin Newkirk and Taikeem Wheeler were running what state Attorney General Eric Scneiderman calls a sophisticated breeding and training organization for dogfighting. The attorney general says it was run out of two locations under the guise of kennels.
Officials say they were raised and trained to fight. Some they says are as young as one week old.
"These dogs were treated in a manner to make them angry, designed to make them fighters, to make them anti-social and to make money off of their suffering,” said Schneiderman.
Schneiderman says the pit bulls were kept in the houses with no visible food or drinkable water.  He said many had scars from bite wounds and some even had broken bones. Schneiderman said that none of them appeared to have ever been treated by a veterinarian.
Two of the dogs had to be put down because of their injuries. Officials say the rest are being treated and will eventually be put up for adoption.
Davis, Newkirk and Wheeler are charged with multiple counts of animal fighting, animal torture and conspiracy.


More from News 12
2:24
Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

2:12
Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

2:25
CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:14
Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

1:50
FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

0:29
Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

0:21
Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

0:29
Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:34
Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

2:27
17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

2:17
Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

2:05
Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

0:46
CT electric bills set to increase following regulators' approval of rate adjustment

CT electric bills set to increase following regulators' approval of rate adjustment

2:05
Eversource announces suspension of new electric vehicle charging rebates

Eversource announces suspension of new electric vehicle charging rebates

0:22
NHL's Coyotes officially leaving Arizona - but won't be coming to Connecticut

NHL's Coyotes officially leaving Arizona - but won't be coming to Connecticut