Seventeen pit bulls removed from property as Bennington Police investigate animal cruelty case

VERMONT -- The Bennington Chief of Police calls a recent animal cruelty case the worst he's ever seen.

Authorities say they discovered 17 pit bulls at two separate Vermont properties. Nine of the dogs had to be put down because they were so badly injured or were too vicious to be around people.

The dogs' former owner, Derick Jensen, is currently in jail without bail as police investigate whether or not he was using the dogs to fight.

 

 

Jensen had lived with his girlfriend and their young children in the rental property where the dogs were found. While the dogs have been removed, heavy chains, automobile tires with metal grips on them, and a leash hanging from a tree remain on the property.

“We have investigated a fair share of animal cruelty cases but I have never seen the condition that these dogs were in,” said Chief Paul Doucette.

Police say the dogs were victims of something that went way beyond neglect.

Authorities only released a few photos of the dogs.

Jensen was already on probation after pleading guilty to child abuse, according to police. Now he faces animal abuse charges.

Police say they already had several complaints about Jensen and his dogs at 1820 East Road. But, it was really when Jensen was being evicted with the help of Sheriff's deputies that police began to realize the full scope of what was going on.

According to authorities, before they could even rescue the dogs, Jensen allegedly transported the ones in worst shape to a family members home a few miles away.

“Some of these dogs were living inside a Jeep Cherokee,” said Doucette.

He hid some of the dogs at this relative's house

When he ran out of yard, he locked dogs in the car

Doucette says his investigators are trying to determine how the dogs were injured.

“Could it be from fighting? Could it be the dogs were too close together? I don't know,” he said.

The surviving dogs are doing well and four puppies are in the care of the organization “Out of the Pits”, which specializes in pit bull rescues.

Jensen pleaded not guilty to his charges last week.

NEWS10 ABC reached out to Jensen's public defender for comment but we have not received a response.

(NEWS10 ABC - Sept 29, 2014)