ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The theft of a French bulldog named Bugsy led Orange County deputies to make a disturbing discovery of animal cruelty, officials said.
Bugsy was stolen from his owner at gunpoint in March, and the investigation into his theft uncovered shady underground dog-trafficking organizations, deputies said.
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Orange County Sheriff John Mina was joined by his detectives to detail the alleged criminal activity.
Watch Orange County deputies give an update on this investigation:
Sheriff Mina update on French Bulldog robbery case https://t.co/cW9Xr7NYv9
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) November 5, 2021
Mina said his investigators were led down a “dark and disturbing road of animal cruelty and puppy trafficking.”
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Deputies said the investigation uncovered burglaries of pet stores and an underground puppy “chop shop” where the suspects would cut the microchips out from under the animals’ flesh.
When detectives started investigating the robbery of a #frenchbulldog named Bugsy – ripped away from his owner at gunpoint off Hiawassee Road in March – they had no idea it would lead them into a dark, disturbing world of dog trafficking and puppy “Chop Shops”#AnimalCruelty pic.twitter.com/ShNq9EduJs
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) November 5, 2021
“These pets were kept in extremely deplorable conditions,” Mina said.
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Deputies said the suspect would either unload the puppies for cash or keep them for breeding.
Deputies said Bugsy is in good health and was reunited with his family.
See more in the video above.
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