Robert A. Elliott, Dog Fighting, New Jersey 2016

CAMDEN, N.J. - In a shocking case of animal cruelty, Robert A. Elliott, 47, of Millville, New Jersey, has been charged with possessing dogs for the purpose of dog fighting. Elliott is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case, Elliott allegedly lived with Frank Nichols, an individual involved in a dog fighting conspiracy. On June 1, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on a residence on a multi-acre property in Millville where Nichols lived. During the search, 13 live pit bull-type dogs were seized. Seven of the dogs were kept on heavy chains in a wooded area behind the house.

The dogs were spaced so that they could not reach one another. Two additional dogs were housed individually in pens in the wooded area near the chained dogs. Law enforcement officers found three more dogs in shipping crates in the unfinished basement. One of the 13 dogs, who appeared ill, was found in a crate in a room on the first floor.

Several of the dogs had scars and other signs of injury, and all of the dogs had untreated veterinary conditions. Law enforcement also found other indications that the dogs were used in dog-fighting ventures, such as break sticks, a stand often called a 'rape rack' (or 'breeder stand'), and testosterone boosting supplements.

Elliott claimed ownership of several of the dog fighting paraphernalia found in his home and indicated that he and his family owned 10 of the 13 pit bull-type dogs found at his residence. The counts of possession of an animal for participation in an animal fighting venture each carry a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison.

The case is part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jihee Suh and Kevin DiGiorno. Robert A. Elliott, Sr.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/cumberland-county-new-jersey-man-charged-possessing-dogs-dog-fighting