Corey Elliott, Dogfighting, Massachusetts 2026

CARVER MAN TO PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL DOGFIGHTING CHARGE

BOSTON – A Carver, Mass., man has agreed to plead guilty to his participation in a multi-year dogfighting conspiracy involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related animal cruelty and illegal gambling activities.

Corey Elliott, 49, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Elliott was arrested and charged in April 2026.

According to the charging document, the defendant participated in a long-running dogfighting conspiracy spanning several years and involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related gambling and animal cruelty offenses. The defendant and his co-conspirator allegedly maintained a close partnership over a period of years, during which they communicated extensively about dogfighting activities, including arranging fights, discussing outcomes, placing wagers and coordinating the acquisition, sale and conditioning of dogs for fighting purposes.

The United States also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against four pit bull-type dogs, seized in June 2025 from Elliott’s residence in Carver. As alleged in the civil forfeiture complaint, the seized dogs were housed separately in locked cage structures; several of the seized dogs had evidence of scarring; and, at the location where the dogs were seized, items commonly associated with an illegal dogfighting operation were found, including training equipment, veterinary supplies and dog fighting literature.

The civil forfeiture complaint also alleges that Elliott messaged with another dogfighter through WhatsApp about training dogs to fight, the planning and results of dogfights, injuries sustained by and the death of fighting dogs and disposing of dog carcasses.

According to the charges, the defendant faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

This case was investigated by Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; United States Marshals Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Acton.