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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Prison for Dogfighting
BOSTON – John D. Murphy, 51, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for possessing dogs in a dogfighting venture.
Murphy was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. The defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 and was prohibited from possessing pit-bull type dogs.
According to the indictment, Murphy was charged with nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. He pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2024.
The investigation, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, revealed that Murphy was involved in dogfighting for years. He used Facebook to communicate with other dogfighters and share information on breeding, training, and fighting dogs.
During the search of Murphy’s residence in Hanson, Massachusetts, in June 2023, investigators found nine pit bull-type dogs with scarring consistent with dogfighting. They also discovered animal fighting paraphernalia, including flirt poles, spring poles, treadmills, and a jenny mill.
“Dogfighting is a blood sport rooted in cruelty and greed,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “For years, Mr. Murphy brutalized defenseless animals for profit and sport – training them to fight, suffer and die for his own financial gain. His actions were not only illegal but deeply disturbing,”
As part of his sentence, Murphy will serve the last three months in community confinement, followed by three years of supervised release.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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