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Two dogs reportedly were found dead in a pit in a rural Maurice River Township homestead that investigators said was the site of a massive operation run by widely-recognized dogfighting breeder, ex-con Bruce "Hollywood" Low Jr., 45.
Others arrested include his mother and alleged business partner, Terri Low, 67, and son, dog handler Bryce Low, 20.
“Profiting from dogfighting is callous, brutal, and cruel,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Friday, April 5. “These animals are born into lives of abuse, suffering, and violence, culminating with hours-long fights and frequently these dogs’ slow and painful deaths.
"[It] will not go unpunished,” the AG said.
It was the second time that Bruce Low Jr. has been busted for dogfighting, Daily Voice has learned.
Low -- who currently lives in the Atlantic County town of Milmay, served nearly 12 years in federal prison stemming from an April 2006 raid at the 60-acre property off Route 49 just east of Millville.
He'd had been selling more than two pounds of cocaine a week while manufacturing crack in a 10-by-14-foot bunker more than 10 feet underground, authorities said at the time.
In addition to 3½ pounds of cocaine and a pound and a half of crack, a team of federal, state and local law enforcement officers who converged on the homestead seized several weapons and more than 15,000 rounds of ammo, records show.
Low Jr. took a plea, served nearly a dozen years in federal custody and was released in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Terri Low and Bruce Low Sr. were also arrested after authorities accused them of turning a blind eye to the drug operation.
Terri Low entered a pre-trial intervention program for first-time offenders that allowed her to clear her name but forced her to resign from her job at the time as a corrections officer at Bayside State Prison.
Her husband pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and was sentenced to three years probation.
Federal, state, county and local authorities descended on the property once again on Wednesday, April 3. Two other associated locations were also searched, including a residence in Atlantic County, they said.
Veterinarians from the Humane Society of the United States were on hand to evaluate and care for the 100 or so dogs that authorities said had been bred and trained to fight at Low's Royal Bull Kennels.
Low and the others were all booked and processed at the Cumberland County Jail before being released following first court appearances on Thursday.
They include Low's son-in-law and alleged kennel-partner-in-training, Roosevelt Hart IV, 29, a dog breeding neighbor, William "George" McClinton, 68, dog trainer Coy Dickenson, 58, who apparently lived in a trailer at the compound, dog handler Mark A. Runkle, 42, and dog trainer/handler Travis Garron, 37.
Charges include dogfighting, racketeering, corporate misconduct, money laundering and conspiracy.
The arrests and rescues capped an intensive investigation begun nearly 2½ years ago involving the state Division of Criminal Justice, the New Jersey State Police, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Just last year, investigators allege, Low allegedly staged 61 "concerts" -- code for dog fights.
Low and some of the others washed the money through the Kisdir Group, a legit construction company on the same property, Platkin said.
On his Royal Blue Kennels website, Low boasts studs and breedings for "game dogs" at "conditioned weight," which authorities said are also terms associated with the brutal contests.
“We do not break any laws!” the site proclaims. “We are not interested in going to prison at any point in time."
Guess what? That's just what might happen.“Dismantling a dog fighting ring is not just about rescuing animals; it's about dismantling a culture of cruelty and restoring compassion to our communities,” said NJSP Supt. Col. Patrick J. Callahan. “It represents a steadfast commitment against violence, showcasing the impact of justice and empathy.”
“What’s striking is the level of suffering involved in dogfighting contrasted with how sweet and eager for affection these dogs are,” said Janette Reever, animal crimes investigations program manager for the Humane Society.“Though they were shivering in the cold rain, these dogs still left their meager shelters to greet us," Reever said. "We are grateful to the New Jersey State Police for their hard work and dedication to put a stop to this cycle of suffering.”
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