A man who was at the center of a large animal cruelty case received a 15-year prison sentence Tuesday.
Devecio Ranard Rowland was sentenced in Polk County after he was found guilty in April of 200-plus charges of dogfighting and animal cruelty, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Rowland also will be on probation for 35 years after his prison term ends.
MORE: Man found guilty on 214 dogfighting, animal cruelty charges
But some animal activists weren’t pleased with the sentence.
“It’s basically telling people you can do it and you’re going to get away with it, and you’re going to spend little to no time in jail,” dog rescuer Stephen Phillips said.
But the sentence had its supporters.
“We’re very grateful that it was 15 years. It was more than we expected,” Melissa Daywalt, a dog rescue volunteer, told Channel 2.
The situation came to light in August when authorities received a tip. Polk County police found 105 malnourished dogs — pit bull-based or bulldog-based breeds — tied up on two separate properties. The dogs were also injured.
Rowland was charged with 70 counts of animal cruelty when the first set of dogs were discovered. Those charges increased after 35 more were found.
Dogfighting charges were added later.
MORE: Atlanta crime news
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