Overview

• John D. Murphy, 51, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, with three months in community confinement, followed by three years of supervised release.
• Murphy pleaded guilty to nine counts under the Animal Welfare Act for possessing animals intended for dogfighting ventures.
• The investigation utilized recorded calls, social media evidence, and physical paraphernalia to document Murphy’s years-long involvement in dogfighting.
• A 2023 search of Murphy’s home uncovered nine pit bull-type dogs, dogfighting equipment, and medical supplies used to treat injuries from fights.
• This case, the first federal dogfighting conviction in Massachusetts, highlights the links between dogfighting, animal cruelty, and organized crime.