A 50-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested on dogfighting charges in a home where police earlier removed 13 animals.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that John Murphy of Hanson, Mass. is charged with nine counts of possessing animals for the purpose of fighting.
The suspect was said in be in possession of intravenous infusion equipment, syringes, anabolic steroids, a skin stapler, forceps and “a breeding stand used to immobilize female dogs during breeding to prevent harm while mating.”
Prosecutors also filed a civil complaint related to the 13 pit bull-type dogs seized from Murphy’s home and another property in June.
His arrest follows a grand jury indictment making Murphy the first person charged federally in the District of Massachusetts under the Animal Welfare Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigators say Murphy posted several dogfighting-related images to his Facebook account. One of those images showed a dog with injuries consistent with fighting. Another photo showed a similar dog restrained in a breeding stand.
“Additionally, in 2019, 2020 and 2021, Murphy allegedly posted videos that depicted pit bull-type dogs physically tethered to treadmill-like-devices commonly used to physically condition dogs in preparation for a dogfight,” prosecutors said.
Murphy faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each charge of possessing animals used to fight. He also could pay fines up to $250,000.
An attorney representing the defendant told NBC News the claims against her client are “not true” and said Murphy’s dogs were in good health when they were removed from his property.
“Today’s arrest puts an end to the calculated brutality we allege Mr. Murphy perpetuated and should serve as a warning to others who engage in the barbaric practice of dogfighting,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts concluded.
