Men to be punished for dogfighting crimes

By Ed White Associated Press Writer DETROIT (AP) § Federal authorities are seeking prison terms for three Michigan men who pleaded guilty to dogfighting crimes after 49 pit bulls were seized last summer. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown has also recommended that the men do community service after they are released, possibly with the Humane Society or another group that cares for animals. "Dogfighting is not a sport; it is a cruel and heinous criminal offense," Brown said in a Nov. 25 filing in federal court in Detroit. B. Jay Rodriguez of Adrian, Martin Phillips of Bad Axe and Joshua Gates of Blissfield will be sentenced Tuesday or Wednesday. The investigation by the U.S. Agriculture Department involved a confidential informant and secret video. Brown recommended six months in custody for Rodriguez and Phillips, and a 13-month prison sentence for Gates who has prior convictions and was on state parole at the time of his arrest. Gates' lawyer, Craig Tank, said last Friday he would not object to the recommendation. Attorney Ronald Gold said he would seek probation for Phillips. Rodriguez' lawyer, Bernard Cohen, could not be reached; his voicemail was full. In August, Gates pleaded guilty to conspiracy, selling or delivering dogs and exhibiting an animal. He said he was involved in fights in Lansing and Detroit. Rodriguez and Phillips pleaded guilty in September to transporting animals for fighting ventures. Authorities in June seized at least 10 pit bulls from Gates' home, the majority bearing scars and "living outside chained to barrels with heavy collars and weighted leads," Brown said. Investigators also found bloodstained plywood, carpet and sticks, which are used to force open a dog's jaw in the heat of battle, the prosecutor wrote. The sentences likely won't be as harsh as the 23-month prison term given to NFL star Michael Vick, Brown said, but that case "involved a greater number of animals and a much more sadistic form of animal cruelty."

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