Brownsville Alleged Dog Fighter Charged With Animal Cruelty

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — A 27-year-old Brownsville woman was charged with animal cruelty after cops found four bloodied pit bulls covered in infected scratches trapped in stacked cages with no food or water that they believed she was housing there, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced Wednesday. The dogs were found housed in a Far Rockaway garage that police believe the woman, Cherise Mickens, rented out.

The pit bulls appeared severely underweight, their rib cage bones protruding through their skin, with infected cuts all over their bodies and faces, according to the criminal complaint. A vet from the ASCPA found that the scars on the dogs were from old dog bite wounds, Brown said. The dogs were also found to have teeth fractures, broken claws, an ear flap injury, a gum tissue wound and a red blood cell parasite that often spreads through bite wounds, the Queens DA office said.

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"The four dogs are now in the care of the ASPCA where they are receiving medical attention for their injuries and infections," an ASPCA spokesperson told Patch. "This is an open case, and we cannot provide further information at this time."

Detectives found the dogs after obtaining a search warrant to look inside the garage on Beach 65 Street in Far Rockaway on Dec. 28, 2016, according to the NYPD. A detective recovered a "slat mill" and two bloody "break sticks" inside the garage where the animals were allegedly living, the complaint said. A "slat mill" is a Treadmill for dogs that is often used for training dogs to fight. A "break stick" is a tool that you can insert into a pit bull's mouth to make him release his mouth's grip on another animal.

"Some people may erroneously refer to dog fighting as a blood sport, but in actuality it is animal cruelty in its most brutalizing form," Brown said. "In this case, the defendant is accused of owning and training these four dogs to fight other canines. As a result, these dogs were covered in old and new bruises, scratches and bite marks. No animal should be treated in such a vile manner. The dogs have now been rescued, and this defendant will be held accountable for her alleged actions."

"This is another example of the partnership between the NYPD and the ASPCA working to rescue animals in New York City," said Howard Lawrence, vice president of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. "Fortunately, these dogs are now getting expert care from ASPCA veterinary staff. We encourage all New Yorkers to report suspected animal cruelty to 311 or call 911 for crimes in progress. You may be saving that animal's life."

Mickens, who lives on Grafton Street in Brownsville, was charged with animal fighting and torturing animals, Brown said. She was released on her own recognizance and ordered to show up in court on March 1. She faces up to four years in prison.

Lead photo by Rodrigo Bertolino: rodrigobertolino.com/Flickr/CC by 3.0