Police: Man Arrested For Organizing Dogfighting Ring In Gastonia, Several Dogs Rescued

Caryn Little,

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Police say a man from Gastonia is facing numerous felony charges for organizing a dogfighting ring.  Investigators say they have been investigating reports of dogfighting on Queens Road in Gastonia for several months.

Wednesday morning, members of the Gaston County Police and Animal Care & Enforcement went to the home on Queens Road to serve a search warrant and arrest the suspected dogfighting organizer, Rico Pagan, according to a news release.

Pagan was taken into custody without incident and charged with three felonious counts of dogfighting.  The charges are for the training, promotion, and participation in dogfighting, according to police.  Several dogs were rescued from the home.

After further investigation, police say Pagan was also charged with an additional 12 felonious counts of animal cruelty.  He is currently in the Gaston County Jail on a $125,000 bond.

The Humane Society of the United States Animal Rescue and Response Team were also part of the investigation.  The team provides resources to law enforcement partners in these type of situations, according to a news release.

These resources include legal assistance, temporary sheltering, on-scene assistance with evidence collection and animal handling, animal transportation and assistance with placement for the animals through their network of shelter and rescue partners, all at no cost to the citizens of Gaston County.

“It is gut-wrenching to imagine the violence and pain these dogs have been forced to endure,” said Gail Thomssen, North Carolina director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are thankful to the Gaston County Police Department for answering the call to get these dogs desperately-needed help. Thanks to everyone involved, today is the last day that these dogs will have to live like this.”

This is an active and on-going investigation. The Gaston County Police encourages anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective J. P. Brienza at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. Information leading to the identification, arrest and/or prosecution of additional suspect(s) involved in this incident can result in up to a $1,000 reward.