7 Dogs Seized Due To Suspected Fighting, Cruelty In Orange: PD

ORANGE, CT — Seven dogs were seized from a home in Orange on Tuesday due to suspected dog fighting and animal cruelty, according to the Connecticut State Police.

In a news release, state police said the department's Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force, along with Orange police and both state and Milford animal control officers, executed a search warrant at a Grassy Hill Road home following an investigation into suspected animal cruelty.

According to state police, the owner was suspected of keeping dogs for the illegal purpose of fighting, and officers seized multiple pieces of evidence indicating this was occurring on the property.

The dogs, who were found in outdoor kennel structures, were subjected to unsanitary conditions and tethered within their cages in an unlawful manner, according to state police.

Seven dogs in total were seized from the home and placed in the care of the state Department of Agriculture. They will be housed at Milford Animal Control.

Criminal charges related to animal cruelty are anticipated, state police said.

The investigation into the Orange property was based on leads developed with the Suffolk County, N.Y., Police Department related to a previous dog fighting investigation, according to state police.

In that case, the department's Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force, along with the statewide firearms trafficking and narcotics task forces, and with assistance from Meriden police, executed a search warrant at a home on Britannia Street in Meriden on July 31, state police said.

The warrant was obtained following an investigation with Suffolk County police into an active dog fighting syndicate, authorities said. As a result, detectives seized numerous items associated with dog fighting from the property, including shock collars, weighted harnesses and collars, whips and scales.

Detectives also located break sticks, which are used to break up dog fights by inserting them into a dog's mouth, with blood and dog fur on them and a homemade dog fighting ring, state police said.

Eight dogs in total were removed from a make-shift kennel in back of the property with assistance from Meriden animal control officers. The animals received veterinary care for injuries consistent with dog fighting, according to state police.

Three people, a Bridgeport resident and two Meriden residents, were later arrested on Sept. 27 in connection to the investigation, state police said.