Latest news with #AnimalRescueLeagueofBoston
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hanson Man Receives First Federal Sentence in Massachusetts for Dogfighting
John Murphy, 51, became the first person in Massachusetts to receive a federal sentence for possessing dogs and for participating in a dogfighting venture, according to a release from the Department of Justice. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young sentenced Murphy on April 9th to one year and one day in prison. The father of four was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and prohibited from possessing pit-pull type dogs. Murphy pleaded guilty in November 2024 to nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, which violates the federal Animal Welfare Act. According to the Animal Rescue League of Boston's Director of Law Enforcement, Karen LoStracco, 'It would be good to see a higher sentence, just as a potential deterrent for others out there that may be committing this activity.' However, she noted that the sentence is a positive move because Murphy is banned from owning pit-bulls in the future, and all the dogs involved in the fighting are now safe. LoStracco said crimes like these are challenging for law enforcement to uncover because they're well hidden from the public. In some cases, it can take years of investigation. 'It's sometimes hard to infiltrate these groups to find out exactly what's going on and who might be involved,' she explained. Court documents show federal authorities became aware of Murphy's involvement in dogfighting in 2021 on recorded calls with a dogfighting target based in New York. Just over one year later, they started closely monitoring his property using aerial and ground-level cameras. In June of 2023, Boston 25 News was on scene as federal agents swept his home, and seized nine pit-bull type dogs that had scars consistent with organized dog fighting. Photos taken inside Murphy's home showed dogs tethered to treadmills in his basement, and dog fighting paraphernalia such as several types of steroids and painkillers. LoStracco said dogfighting is a lot more involved than putting dogs in a ring to fight, there's a lot of preparation leading up to that point, which includes purchasing or creating training equipment for the animals. Court paperwork also showed a forensic examination of Murphy's cell phone had revealed his involvement in breeding and conditioning dogs for 25 years. It also showed him stating he would 'never never never' quit what he is doing with the dogs. For that reason, LoStracco said they will do the best they can to keep an eye on the situation. As for the dogs involved in fighting, ARL described what happens to them after they're seized. 'They're vetted very carefully and deemed fit to be in a shelter environment to be around people, and other animals,' said Animal Rescue League of Boston Media Relations Manager Mike Defina. Subsequently, they're sent to organizations across the country to receive the care and treatments they need. He said it can take weeks, even months, for the dogs to trust others again, but he has seen many success stories. Boston 25 News has reached out to Murphy's attorney for comment but hasn't heard back as of Friday, April 11th. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Globe
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A sample of the Globe's best photos from March
Send questions or suggestions to the Starting Point team at . If you'd like the newsletter sent to your inbox, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT That's how Jessica Rinaldi, a Globe photographer, describes the nasturtiums that the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum This year, Jessica got access to the museum's off-site greenhouse, where she captured horticulturalists perched on ladders tending to 20-foot blooming vines stretched on trellises above their heads. Jessica watched them move the flowers to the museum's courtyard balconies, where they will hang on display for the next week. 'It is as sure a sign of spring as I know,' she says. Advertisement From pets and pirouettes to basketball and a birthday, here are some of the Globe's other Erin Clark/Globe Staff Erin Clark attended Dorothy Burnham's Advertisement Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff The Animal Rescue League of Boston reported in early March that more people Barry Chin/Globe Staff Photographer Barry Chin was in the perfect spot when Celtics forward Jayson Tatum stuffed Lakers guard Luka Doncic on his shot attempt during the third quarter of the March 8 game at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Danielle Parhizkaran captured the coordinated, graceful movements of pairs skaters Riku Miura, left, and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan as they performed during an exhibition gala at the Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Brett Phelps photographed 11-year-old Sofia Hernandez-Williams as she John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Photographer John Tlumacki was there when Jeff and Paula Babel decided to sample a batch of maple syrup in their Advertisement Click here to of this month's best photos. 🧩 4 Across: | 🥶 42° POINTS OF INTEREST From left, Tony Winslow Jr., Jessica Adams, and Tony Winslow Sr. wore memorial shirts displaying images of 15-year-old Troy Winslow, who died along with two other teenagers in a January 2024 high-speed crash in Boston following a police pursuit. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Boston Startling revelation: Despondent over his play and some fans' criticisms, Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran Mayoral race: Josh Kraft proposed focusing Boston police Read and ride: Massachusetts Democrats advanced a measure to spend nearly $1.2 billion from the state's surtax on wealthy households Aftermath of a crash: A supervisor told Boston police officers not to chase a car. Minutes later, Massachusetts and New England Gov. candidate: Mike Kennealy, who worked in former governor Charlie Baker's administration, Hot and cold: Trump urged Chris Sununu, New Hampshire's Republican former governor, SOS: Rescuers Trump administration Rümeysa Öztürk: Representative Seth Moulton compared ICE's arrest of a Turkish grad student at Tufts Déjà vu: Trump said the United States and Iran are holding direct talks over Iran's nuclear program. In his first term, Trump scuttled a 2015 nuclear deal Iran made with the US. ( Canceling aid: The administration terminated lifesaving humanitarian aid for refugees in Syria, Jordan, and other countries. ( Maine v. Trump: The state sued the administration for withholding federal funds over Maine's policy on transgender athletes. ( Presidential power: An appeals court ruled that Trump improperly fired Democratic appointees to independent labor agencies. The case will likely end up at the Supreme Court. ( Taking stock: Markets have crashed before. But most downturns are caused by external events, BESIDE THE POINT By Teresa Hanafin 🍅 Cheap eats: If you're worried about Trump's tariffs increasing the price of groceries, Sheryl Julian says to 💰 Mega money: Changes are coming to the Mega Millions lottery today: Ticket prices will increase from $2 to $5, but that means much bigger jackpots and larger secondary prizes. ( 📺 Vengeful: The new season of 'The Last of Us,' which takes place five years after the events of last season's finale, is a slow-burn tale of love and 🧬 De-extincting: Using deft genetic engineering, ancient DNA, and domestic dogs, scientists have re-created dire wolves, a line of beasts whose live gene pool vanished long ago. ( 🎭 They mean well: There are no villains in ' 🌏 Who sells what? Since tariffs and trade are in the news, see if you know what countries export which products in this interactive game called Tradle. ( Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at Advertisement ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can sign up for your own copy. 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Ian Prasad Philbrick can be reached at
Miami Herald
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
See adoptable pups displaced by California fires enjoy their first snow in Massachusetts
Dogs that likely spent most of their lives on the West Coast 'are now ready to start their new lives' in the Northeast — especially after beholding all the wonders of snow. Video shows the pups running around and playing in the snow at the Animal Rescue League of Boston after a 'long journey from the west coast' to make room in shelters for animals rescued from the Los Angeles wildfires. In true California fashion, one of the dogs even wore a sweater while playing in the snow. The league shared the video to Facebook on Wednesday, Feb. 5, after the dogs had traveled 3,000 miles on a plane and over 600 miles in the league's Transport Waggin' vehicle. 'These LA transplants spent the last few days settling in, receiving medical and behavioral evaluations, and, of course, enjoying our wonderful winter weather,' the league said. The dogs were up for adoption in Los Angeles before the wildfires began and are now up for adoption in Massachusetts. In addition to seeking homes for the dogs, the league is also seeking donations to help with the cost of transporting them across the country. Someone commented on the league's 'perfect song choice' for the video — the 2005 Augustana song 'Boston.' The lyrics are about leaving California for Boston to start a new life.
