CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — An Erie County Court judge sentenced a 24-year-old Cheektowaga man on Monday following animal cruelty charges, and a dog fighting investigation that was conducted by Erie County SPCA investigators.
The suspect, James A. Jackson received a one-year sentence for his convictions in an animal cruelty case and will serve that concurrent to his determinate sentence which is 2-years in prison followed by 3-years of post-release supervision on an unrelated gun charge case.
Cheektowaga Police had originally received an anonymous tip in April of 2022 regarding dog fighting, and the SPCA executed a search warrant for Jackson's home on Andrews Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga.
During the search warrant, investigators recovered evidence that would be common in dog fighting both inside and outside of Jackson's home. The SPCA recovered 3 alive dogs in the basement, and the remains of two dead dogs in the backyard.
In a press release from the Erie County District Attorney's Office it said:
"The defendant admitted that he trained three pit bull mixed breed dogs, two males and one female, under circumstances evincing an intent for the dogs to engage in animal fighting and intentionally depriving the dogs of food and medical treatment. Jackson pleaded guilty to all eight counts in the indictment on March 19, 2024."
- Three counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting (Class “E” felonies under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)
- Four counts of Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (Class “A” misdemeanors under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)
- One count of Prohibition of Animal Fighting, Possession, Sale or Making of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia (Class “B” misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)
A final 'no animal' order has been issued which will prohibit Jackson from ever owning or caring for any animals in the next 30 years. A co-defendants charges who was also indicted for their role in the case were dismissed.
“This is a horrible case involving a defendant who tortured innocent dogs and used cruel methods to train them to become dangerous animals. This case highlights the tragedy of these underground, illegal activities. I want to thank the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in this case and their efforts to rescue animals from abusive environments,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.
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