The SPCA Serving Erie County kindly provided me with Wade's pictures (added below.)
I was also advised that the two other furvictims who were found alive fully recovered and were adopted.
On Monday, July 1, 2024, Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi sentenced 24-year-old JAMES A. JACKSON (pictured) on animal cruelty charges that stemmed from an investigation into dogfighting.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release that the investigation began on April 12, 2022, after the Cheektowaga Police Department received an anonymous tip regarding dogfighting at JACKSON’s home on Andrews Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga.
On April 13, 2022, investigators with the SPCA Serving Erie County executed a search warrant at JACKSON’s home.
The search led to the discovery of two deceased dogs in the backyard, two live dogs in the basement, and one live dog on the first floor of the home.
Moreover, investigators recovered evidence common in dogfighting operations inside and outside of the home.
The SPCA removed the remains of the deceased furvictims as well as the live dogs.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office tells me that the deceased dogs were a 1-3-year-old female Pitbull and a 1-3-year-old male Pitbull.
The live dogs were Nyrobi, Francis, and Wade.
Nyrobi, a female Pitbull mix was found inside of a crate on the first floor of the home.
Francis, a male Pitbull mix, was 2 years old when he was rescued and was found in the basement. He was “thin and had multiple wounds and scarring on his face, chest, front legs and rump.”
Wade, a male Pitbull mix, was approximately 3-5 years old when he was rescued. He was found “chained in the basement.” Wade “...was thin and had multiple wounds and scarring on his face.”
According to the SPCA Serving Erie County, Wade was adopted in November 2022, after 202 days at the shelter. Wade is pictured below with mom Brenda and daddy Frank of Buffalo.
In April 2024, JACKSON and the co-defendant in the case were arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging them each with the following offenses:
·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)
After their arraignment, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said in a press release that JACKSON and the co-defendant “…while acting in concert with one another, are accused of training three pit bull mixed breed dogs, two males and one female, under circumstances evincing an intent for the dogs to engage in animal fighting for amusement or gain. The defendants are also accused of intentionally depriving the dogs of food and medical treatment.”
DA Flynn said in a statement: “These defendants are accused of using cruel methods to train these dogs 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 other animal cruelty investigations.”
On March 19, 2024, JACKSON pleaded guilty to all eight counts in the indictment against him.
Let’s get back to the sentence and see what the life of defenseless animals is worth to the law and to those who represent it.
JACKSON received a one-year sentence for his conviction in the animal cruelty case.
JACKSON will serve that concurrently with his determinate sentence of two years in prison, followed by three years of post-release supervision for an unrelated gun charge case.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office stated that a final “no animal” order was issued which prohibits JACKSON “…from owning or caring for any animals for the next 30 years.”
As for the co-defendant in the case, JACKSON’s girlfriend, the case against her was dismissed in view of JACKSON accepting full responsibility for all charges in the indictment.
I have emailed the SPCA Serving Erie County and requested pictures of all of the Voiceless Victims. Should I receive them, I will add them to the gallery below.
I took the liberty of naming the deceased furvictims Bluebell and Daffodil for the tribute image.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official press releases by Erie County authorities. Links included. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
JACKSON’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
