- The dogs seized in the latest arrest were emaciated, malnourished, dehydrated and suffering from various injuries, including burns.
- The man is being held without bond at the Gaston County Detention Center.
A man who was accused of hosting a dog fighting ring several years ago was arrested again on the same charges after police seized five dogs from his property, all of which needed medical attention, according to the Gaston County Police Department.
Rico Pagan, 53, of Queens Road in Gastonia, first came under investigation on March 19, 2021, after Animal Control was contacted about two decomposed dogs that Wilborn Cleaning Service workers found in trash bags near Pagan’s home, according to search warrant affidavits filed by Gaston County Police Department Detective J.P. Brienza.
On March 19, 2021, Brienza spoke with an informant who said that Pagan was fighting dogs on his property, hosting dog fighting parties almost every Saturday night. The informant said that on Feb. 13, 2021, Pagan hosted a dog fight at his home that produced a $70,000 prize for the winner of the main fight.
When a police officer visited the property on May 10, 2021, he found at least a dozen dogs that had been severely neglected and that had injuries that looked to be from dog fighting, Brienza wrote. There were also chains with attached weights and cow hides attached to ropes hanging from a tree, items known to be used in dog fighting, and the officer found empty medicine vials strewn around the property.
Pagan told police he did not have the money to get the dogs veterinary care.
When police followed up May 16, Pagan had apparently hidden the weighted chains and medicine vials, but there was a dog on the property with a newly injured leg.
On May 19, in another visit, police found two malnourished dogs, as well as the dog with the injured leg. Police seized from the property a structured arena associated with dog fighting, a whelping kennel used for breeding, medical cold packs used for the packaging and mailing of medications, cow hide attached to a rope, homemade dog harnesses, weights attached to chains, scales used to weigh fighting dogs, and carpets used for flooring in dog fighting arenas.
Pagan was arrested and charged with three counts of dogfighting and 12 counts of animal cruelty.
Pagan was released from jail in November 2021 after posting his bond, however, and since then, police believe he’s been dog fighting again.
On Jan. 28, law enforcement searched his Queens Road property and seized five dogs from his backyard. The dogs were emaciated, malnourished, dehydrated and all had open wounds, including burns to their eyes and the pads of their feet, according to a court document filed by District Attorney Travis Page.
The dogs were taken to a veterinary clinic. Several of the dogs will need surgery.
In addition to the dogs, police seized another welping kennel, chains, training aids used in dog fighting, devices used to exercise or restrain dogs, syringes, weights used to strengthen dogs’ necks, and constricted enclosures, Page wrote.
Pagan is being held without bond at the Gaston County Detention Center.
The animals seized in the search are now under the care of a rescue organization.
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