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Man Arrested for Torturing Pit Bulls Claimed He Fed Them Pizza, DA Says

By Nicholas Rizzi | July 2, 2014 3:07pm
 Kevin Helgerod, 26, was arrested after police found two malnourished pit bulls tied to a window sill in his home, prosecutors said. Helgerod told police he fed the dogs pizza, Chinese food and rice, a law enforcement source said.
Kevin Helgerod, 26, was arrested after police found two malnourished pit bulls tied to a window sill in his home, prosecutors said. Helgerod told police he fed the dogs pizza, Chinese food and rice, a law enforcement source said.
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NEW BRIGHTON — A man arrested on charges he starved and tortured his two pit bulls told police he took good care of them — by feeding them pizza and Chinese food, prosecutors said.

Kevin Helgerod, 26, was arrested at 10:40 p.m. Sunday at his Taft Avenue home, after his sister called police to tip them off to his two malnourished and abused pit bulls, named Rocky and Xena, according to sources and prosecutors.

Police who arrived on the scene found the dogs tied to a windowsill, looking emaciated with their rib cages protruding visibly underneath their skin, according to court papers.

There were no signs of food or water near the dogs, prosecutors said.

Helgerod claimed that he fed the dogs a diet of pizza, Chinese food and rice, a law enforcement source said.

Helgerod had owned the pit bulls for two years before his arrest, the source said.

He was arraigned in Richmond County Criminal Court Monday on misdemeanor charges of torturing and injuring animals, and was released without bail. If convicted, he faces a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

"I'm good everyone I'm home," Helegrod posted on Facebook after his arraignment. "Yea they can't keep a good guy down."

Helgerod's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The dogs were taken to an ASPCA Animal Hospital for treatment, a spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman said she could not provide details about the their health because of the ongoing investigation.