By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Defendants in one of the largest dog fighting busts in U.S. history received some of the stiffest prison sentences ever issued for a dog-fighting ring, the Washington Times reports.
The Alabama dog fighting ring involved more than 350 dogs.
“These dogs lived in deplorable conditions that constituted extraordinary cruelty,” said George Beck Jr., U.S. Attorney for the middle district of Alabama. “They were made to fight and if they lost, they were killed.”
The defendants received sentences ranging from six to eight months.
“This is truly a landmark case for the animal welfare community,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of Field Investigations and Response for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The defendants also were found to be in possession of large amounts of drugs and illegal weapons.
