By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – Four Missouri men have been sentenced to federal prison for dogfighting. Their guilty pleas resulted from the largest ever coordinated multistate raids on dogfighting operations.
In July, federal agents arrested 26 people and seized hundreds of dogs in Missouri, Illinois, and five other states.
Teddy Kiriakidis, 50, of Leasburg and 34-year-old Ronald Creach of Leslie were sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison. Michael Morgan, 38, of Hannibal
and 56-year-old Robert Hackman of Foley each were sentenced to one year in prison.
The sentences go beyond federal guidelines. Judge Carol Jackson said the men committed extraordinary cruelty by subjecting the dogs to long-term torture. Some of the animals were electrocuted when they were too injured to continue fighting.
The Humane Society is caring for many of the dogs that survived, and is seeking new homes for them.