GASTON CO., – A Gaston County dogfighter has been sent to prison for at least seven and a half years. A judge sentenced 53-year-old Rico Pagan after he pleaded guilty to four counts of felony dogfighting and 13 counts of animal cruelty.

His sentencing comes after two dead dogs were found in a wooded area in Gastonia, and nine dogs were seized from Pagan’s home in 2021. Several other dogs were seized from him earlier this year.

See Full Page