Animal cruelty arrest

Police say dog-fighting in Rochester is a huge underground problem----so arrests are rare---until tonight.

22-year old Andre Johnson of Rochester is behind bars tonight. Police say he purchased a pit bull from Alabama specifically bred for dog fighting. As you can see the pit bull still has fresh bite marks on her face.

Johnson is charged with possession with intent to fight dogs. He faces up to one year behind bars and a $1,000 fine.

Neighbors tipped off police about the alleged dog fighter living at 163 Garfield in Rochester.

“Unfortunately it's very common. we don't see alot of arrests for it because it's a very underground type of thing...for us to get a felony conviction we have to actually be able to catch them in the act of doing the fight,” says Richard Gerbasi of Lollypop Farm.

Police say Johnson has a criminal record including weapons charges.

Police say the pit bull they just brought in recently had a litter of puppies, also bred for fighting. They fear those puppies are now in the hands of other local dog fighters. If you know or suspect someone of dog fighting contact the Animal Cruelty Hotline at 223-6500.