Garfield Pit Bull Breeder Accused Of Starving Dogs Waives Hearing

A pit bull breeder in Pittsburgh is scheduled to stand trial on charges he let his dogs starve and freeze to death at his Garfield home.

On Thursday, Marc Anthony Williams, 25, waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Police said Williams told officers the severe snowstorm in early February prevented him from getting to the pens in his North Fairmont Street back yard to feed the animals.

“It’s not like these dogs were out in the field somewhere far away,” humane agent Bob Gosser said Thursday. “Yeah, the snow is deep, but again, you take extraordinary means to get there to take care of your animals.”

Williams’ attorney, Joseph Rewis, said his client is “cooperating with the police fully in their investigation. He’s taken full responsibility for his actions here.”

VIDEO: Garfield Breeder Accused Of Starving Pit Bulls (Warning: Graphic) VIDEO: Garfield Breeder Accused Of Letting Pit Bulls Starve To Death

Humane agents said they were notified about Williams by a woman who bought a dog from him and thought the animal looked neglected.

When officers got to the back yard, they found a series of dog kennels containing dog houses, police said. There was a very small, skinny dog in one kennel and emaciated carcasses of two pit bulls were found in other kennels, police said.

Police said they found no food, water or evidence of recent care for any of the dogs.

Authorities said two of Williams’ three pit bulls died. The one that survived is at the Humane Society, where workers named him Salvator, which means “rescued” in Italian.

The dog required eye surgery and is being rehabilitated for adoption.

Williams’ neighbors said the dogs used to bark, but the noise stopped not long after the February blizzard.

Williams initially told officers the animals weren’t his and gave them a fake name, authorities said. Later, Williams said he was sorry about what happened, authorities said.

Williams was charged with three counts of animal cruelty. Police said Williams will no longer be allowed to breed dogs.

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