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Freeport Man Pleads Guilty To All Charges In Fire That Killed 13 Pit Bulls

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man has pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen counts of felony and misdemeanor animal fighting charges in connection with a fire that killed 13 pit bulls earlier this year.

Anthony Reddick, 53, of Freeport was arrested after officials found the dead dogs and dog fighting paraphernalia in a Hillside Avenue garage that went up in flames on Feb. 28.

The dogs that burned to death ranged in age from about 2 1/2 months to 5 years old, officials said.

"This case is another example of why we need action in Albany to give law enforcement the necessary tools to combat dogfighting and other forms of animal abuse," Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said. "Though this defendant is a repeat offender, dogfighting has been left out of the litany of qualifying offenses that are subject to increased penalties. That needs to change if we are to fully hold those engaging in dogfighting accountable and deter others from this cruel enterprise."

On Monday, Reddick forfeited three pit bills that were found alive at the scene.

Reddick faces up to four years in prison. He is expected to be sentenced on Sept. 22.

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