Investigators say two dead pit bulls may have been used in illegal contests.
SWEDEN – Investigators believe two pit bull puppies found dead in the woods earlier this month may have been used for illegal dog fighting.

A person walking in the woods near the Waterford town line April 2 made the gruesome discovery. The puppies, believed to be 10 to 12 weeks old, were found lying on a piece of heavy ground equipment a short distance from a roadway.

The female puppy had cuts and puncture wounds on her face, throat and legs. A piece of twine had been wrapped around her throat, according to Sweden constable and Animal Control Officer Dick McGoldrick. The male dog had similar injuries.

“I’m quite sure it was the result of fighting or training to fight,” McGoldrick said.

McGoldrick, an ACO for 10 towns, estimated the dogs weighed between 15 and 20 pounds. The exact cause of death is unknown, but the types of wounds the animals suffered indicate the pit bulls were likely used in fighting contests.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the deaths.

McGoldrick said Wednesday that no arrests have been made. People who engage in dog fighting contests face felony charges in Maine. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a minimum fine of $500 for each violation.

In a typical dog fighting contest, the animals are placed in a pit to fight each other for the spectators’ gambling and entertainment. Participants may use bait dogs or other small animals to train their dogs for combat, according to the Humane Society. Fights normally last nearly an hour but may last more than two hours. The battle ends when one of the dogs is unable or unwilling to continue.
Underworld stuff’
As it turns out, McGoldrick has formal training in the investigation of what are known as “blood sports.” He said there are essentially two different forms of dog fighting. One, is very organized, where dog owners keep detailed records about their fighters and the financial stakes tend to be high.

“It’s underworld stuff,” McGoldrick said.

The second form involves mostly young people who operate on a street level and fight their dogs mostly for entertainment. They dispose or get rid of the animals that don’t do well.

According to Humane Society officials, the dogs used in such events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection. The animals may linger for hours or even days after the fight.

The puppies found dead in Sweden may have been bred for such fighting, officials said.

“Although the exact cause of death has not yet been determined in this case, the discovery of these puppies should prompt great concern both in terms of animal cruelty and the presence of organized, underground dog fighting rings,” said Hillary Twining, program coordinator for the Humane Society’s New England regional office.

The dead puppies were turned over to a veterinarian in Fryeburg Wednesday for postmortem examination, according to McGoldrick.

Anyone with information about the dogs or the manner in which they died is asked to call McGoldrick at (207) 452-2323. The Humane Society of the United States can be accessed on the Web at www.hsus.com.
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