UNIONDALE, NY — A man charged in a 2019 dogfighting case was arrested again last week after being found with chickens and dogs, in violation of his probation, officials said.
According to online court documents, Benito Gittens, 50, was arrested on September 9 and charged with second-degree criminal contempt, disobeying the court; he was arraigned and pleaded not guilty, court records said.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s office said multiple dogs and chickens were found during a routine check at the defendant’s residence. A search warrant was executed to seize the animals; they were evaluated by a veterinarian and found to be in good health, the DA’s office said.
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John Di Leonardo, president and executive director of Humane Long Island, said four dogs and seven chickens were found at Gittens’ home during a routine visit.
“Authorities discovered multiple dogs in cramped cages and seven chickens in a makeshift coop,” Di Leonardo said.
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Gittens’ Mineola-based attorney Meir Moza told Patch that the arrest “seems like a misunderstanding. The dogs were his mother’s. I think he was under the impression that dogs in her house wouldn’t be a violation of any probation.”
He added: “I don’t know about the chickens, they also belong to his mother. He has no possession of any animals, and we are going to fight to show this was not a violation of his probation.”
The chickens were brought to Humane Long Island’s Riverhead sanctuary, Di Leonardo said.
“These seven birds will now live out their lives at a vegan sanctuary, where they will be loved and never eaten,” he said. “Humane Long Island thanks the Nassau County Police Department for protecting not just dogs but also chickens, and reminds the public to be vigilant in reporting suspected abuse to the authorities.”
Di Leonardo added that he was told “ritual items” were found in relation to the chickens.
The Nassau County DA’s office told Patch that there was discussion of “ritualistic use or religious use” in regard to the chickens..
“These seven birds who seemed doomed to horrific fates are now safe, and I’m happy to be able to help ensure they can live healthy, happy lives,” said Lady Freethinker founder Nina Jackel, who is sponsoring care for the chickens. “I’m incredibly grateful to law enforcement and Humane Long Island for facilitating this rescue and showing compassion to these innocent, abused animals. Chickens are often overlooked victims of cruelty, and they deserve our kindness, just as all species do.”
Humane Long Island joined the Nassau County Probation Department and Nassau County Police Department carrying out a search warrant the day after Gittens’ most recent arrest, taking custody of the chickens who will be vetted and ultimately placed at the Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve in Montague, NJ following testing for communicable diseases, Di Leonardo said.
In 2019, more than two dozen dogs were rescued from dangerous conditions in a joint effort by the New York City and Nassau County police departments, along with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Police raided homes in Manhattan and Uniondale and rescued 28 dogs that were being used for dog fighting, officials said.
In Nassau County, police arrested Benito Gittens, 46; Gittens was, at the time, charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, and torturing or injuring animals/failure to provided sustenance, authorities said.
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