Elmont man faces dog-fighting charges

An Elmont man prohibited from having custody of animals by a court order has been arraigned on charges in a dog-fighting incident, Nassau County police said Monday.

Marlon Bernier, 25, of 1869 Virginia Ave., is charged with criminal contempt and nine counts of violating the New York State Agricultural and Markets law that prohibits dog fighting, police said.

Bernier was arrested Saturday, after police responded about 4:30 p.m. to an emergency complaint of possible dog fighting at his address, according to a news release.

When Bernier met officers and was asked for his identification, he leaped over a 6-foot high vinyl fence in an effort to evade police, the release said.

He was apprehended a short time later, as police, the Town of Hempstead Animal Control and the Nassau County Police Emergency Services Unit removed nine dogs from cages in Bernier's yard.

Eight of the dogs were pit bulls, another a German shepherd, police said.

"Two of the pit bulls had fresh bleeding wounds on their faces, and several other dogs had old scars from bites," police said in the release. "All of the scars and marks were indicative of the dogs being involved in fights with other animals."

The dogs were taken to the Hempstead Animal Shelter, where they were undergoing examinations and treatment, police said.

Police said in June of last year Nassau County courts issued Bernier an order banning him from owning or having custody and/or control over any animals for five years. That order was the result of a plea deal, a police spokeswoman said Monday.

Bernier was arraigned Sunday and is due back in First District Court in Hempstead on Friday, police said.