Restitution hearing set in dog fighting case

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A federal judge has scheduled a restitution hearing next month in Montgomery for several people who pleaded guilty to participating in high-stakes dog fights.

The people who pleaded guilty in the case received prison sentences ranging from two months to eight years. But U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins withheld ruling on restitution when he sentenced them last month. Now he’s set the restitution hearing for Jan. 16.

The judge could consider the cost of veterinary care and boarding for more than 400 dogs that were seized in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Animal welfare groups say it was the second largest dog seizure in U.S. history.

 

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