New York: Pit bull breeder Mark Ballew, 29, accused of leaving two dogs to die

NEW YORK --  Mark Ballew, 29, of 188th Street in Queens, is facing charges after he allegedly deprived two dogs of food and water, resulting in the death of one of the animals, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.

Police executed a search warrant at a house on Austin Street in Valley Stream on July 25, 2014, and found two dogs inside the residence -- one dead and covered in maggots, the other slowly starving to death.

The deceased dog died trapped inside a cage that was covered in feces. The dog's body was covered in maggots and the maggots had partially eaten away the floor under the animal. No food or water was found in the cage.

A pathologist ruled the cause of the starvation due to neglect, the DA said.

A brown and white pit bull named Princess, the DA said, was underweight and heavily soiled by feces and the home reeked of feces and urine (ammonia). Princess was rescued and taken to the local shelter, according to the criminal complaint.

Ballew was charged with two misdemeanor counts of failure to provide proper sustenance, which refers to food, water and veterinary care.  He was arraigned Monday after surrendering to authorities.  Ballew is due back in court on October 1st. He and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

NOW WE KNOW WHY HE HAD DOGS AT ONE LOCATION AND LIVED ELSEWHERE

A woman on Austin Street told the investigator that Ballew has been breeding and selling dogs from the house for years, court papers show.

(Times Ledger - August 16, 2014)