Police: 23 dogs rescued from Pennsylvania home, suspected dogfighting pit seized
BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — More than 20 dogs were rescued from a home where investigators also found what they suspect is a Pennsylvania dogfighting pit, according to police.
The 175 charges filed against 48-year-old Ronald Kidder, of Pittsburgh, and 48-year-old Terry Decarlos, of Imperial, include counts of animal fighting, aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals and neglect of animals, according to court records.
The suspected dogfighting ring was discovered after Aliquippa police were called for multiple dogs left outside in below-freezing temperatures in the 100 block of Penn Street during Jan. 25’s winter storm, court documents filed said. Parts of Pennsylvania were hit with about a foot of snow that day.
Pennsylvania attorney turned stolen $1.3M into cryptocurrency, DOJ says
Police said they could see the dogs were shivering in the cold and did not have any nearby food or water. More canines were found inside the home and police contacted the Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS) due to the living conditions.
Police said it was believed that immediate action was required, and that waiting for a warrant could increase the risk of harm to the dogs.
The dogs found in the back area of the property were also tethered to chains in a way that prevented them from moving around. Their cages had holes, allowing the cold air and moisture to enter, according to the criminal complaint.
A total of 23 dogs were soon rescued from the property and put into care with the BCHS, police said.
BCHS has spent more than $70,000 on care and boarding for the rescued dogs, and is asking for help from the community in a Facebook post.
“We will continue to support these dogs to ensure they only feel love, security, and safety from here on out, but we cannot do it alone,” BCHS wrote.
The criminal complaint shows, in the basement was a pit that appeared to be used for dogfighting. The plywood sides and carpet seemed to be stained with blood. Police did seize the pit for further investigation.
Also in the home, police said they found items that look like “break sticks,” noted in the charging document to be used to pry open a dog’s jaw during a fight, and they also found a dog treadmill. Syringes and medication, including a veterinary prescription with Kidder’s name on it, for dogs were also taken from the home.
The pit and the severity of the dogs’ injuries is “consistent with organized animal fighting activity,” police said in the complaint.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
A doctor noted traumatic injuries the dogs sustained were in different stages of healing, and some injuries included fractures, broken teeth and babesiosis, a disease caused by parasites that attack red blood cells, according to police. A spreadsheet made by the doctor for all 23 dogs showed that some needed surgery.
When investigators showed back up at the home a few days later, they saw that a gate, which was originally left open, was now padlocked, and there were cleaning materials. Police said it appeared that blood had been cleaned, but two small wet spots looked like blood.
Township votes down plan to disassemble, restore historic bridge
Court documents said, utility bills were in DeCarlos’s name, linking him to the property, and his signature was also on the lease agreement. The landlord also helped identify him. Also, when police first arrived at the home to investigate, they were able to have a conversation with Kidder over the Ring doorbell, in which he identified himself. Kidder was not home at the time.
Online court records show the duo has yet to be arraigned on their charges.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.