A man accused in a dogfighting ring at his Polk County home was found guilty on more than 200 charges Thursday, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Devecio Ranard Rowland was found guilty of 107 counts of dogfighting and 107 counts of animal cruelty, Channel 2 reported.
Authorities received a tip about the allegations in August. 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.
In 2010, Rowland was arrested in a case that involved an alleged dogfighting ring. At that time, animal control found 33 dogs on the same property that is involved in the current case.
However, that case went nowhere because the main witness would not testify, Channel 2 reported.
He will be sentenced May 15.
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