GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) – Gastonia man accused of dog fighting faces new animal cruelty, dog fighting charges
A Gastonia man with a history of dog fighting and animal cruelty charges was again arrested after more dogs were found injured.
Rico Pagan was arrested in 2021 after nine dogs were rescued from an alleged dog fighting ring. As part of his bond release from those charges, he is not allowed to own dogs.
[Where are they now? 9 dogs rescued from alleged Gaston County dog fighting ring to be rehabilitated]
But on Jan. 28, Gaston County Police and Animal Care and Enforcement investigated multiple tips about dogs at a vacant lot owned by Pagan on Queens Road.
Five dogs needing medical attention were seized and placed under the care of a rescue organization. Pagan was arrested on Feb. 7 and charged with five more counts of animal cruelty and dog fighting.
His bond from the 2021charges was revoked and he was denied bond for the new charges.
Anyone with information should call Detective Brienza at 704 866-3320 or CrimeStoppers at 704 861-8000.
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
