A West Hempstead man has been arrested for allegedly keeping eight wounded or malnourished pit pulls caged in a shed full of paraphernalia used for what authorities described as an illegal dog-fighting operation.
Hector Hernandez was charged Friday at Nassau County court with animal fighting and failure to provide proper sustenance.
Prosecutors said that the 26-year-old suspect had eight dogs, some of which had scars on their faces, necks and ears consistent with bite wounds or scarring from previous wounds.
He also allegedly possessed heavy restraint chains, a treadmill modified with a dog tether, vitamins and supplements and a training stick with a stuffed animal attached.
Investigators with the district attorney’s office and Town of Hempstead Animal Control office responded to the suspect’s house on Pinebrook Avenue, where they also found chickens and a rabbit in the shed.
Two of the dogs, Roja and Nana, had fresh bite marks on their front sides and the other six dogs—Little Red, Brownie, Sassy, Scorpio, Honey and Thor—were found in poor living conditions, authorities said.
Hernandez could face up to a year in jail and $15,000 per dog in fines, if convicted. His bail was set at $2,500. He is due back in court Wednesday.
