Local News Hanson man pleads guilty to federal dogfighting charges “This case marks the first time federal criminal charges have been brought in the District of Massachusetts under the Animal Welfare Act.”
A Hanson man pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he kept dogs at his home for dogfighting, authorities announced.
John Murphy, 51, pleaded guilty to nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, a violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act, the office of Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement.
Levy called Murphy’s actions the embodiment of the “calculated cruelty and inhumanity” of dogfighting, which he described as the “barbaric” exploitation and harm of animals for profit.
“This case marks the first time federal criminal charges have been brought in the District of Massachusetts under the Animal Welfare Act, underscoring the seriousness of these crimes and our commitment to holding those who engage in this abhorrent conduct accountable,” Levy said. “We urge anyone with knowledge of animal fighting or abuse to come forward and report it.”
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Prosecutors said Murphy was identified by investigators in 2021 on recorded calls talking about dogfighting with a dogfighting target in New York. A search of his Facebook accounts found Murphy had been involved in dogfighting for years, including photos and videos of restrained and injured dogs.
In June 2023, 13 “pit bull-type” dogs were seized from Murphy’s home and another residence in Townsend. Investigators searching Murphy’s home also found items associated with dogfighting, including breeding, training, and other materials, according to prosecutors.
The dogs are currently in the custody and care of a contractor for the U.S. Marshals Service, Levy’s office said.
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Murphy is facing up to five years in prison for each of the nine charges against him.
Officials are urging anyone with information about animal fighting crimes to contact local law enforcement or the federal hotline at usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
