OSPCA destroys two pit bulls seized from alleged dogfighting ring

An animal protection group says two dogs seized last year from analleged dogfighting ring in eastern Ontario have been destroyed dueto continued dangerous behaviour.

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals saysthe dogs were among a dozen animals seized in Lanark, Ont., lastMay, during a joint investigation with the provincial police.

Connie Mallory, chief inspector with the OSPCA, says the other 10dogs will continue to be rehabilitated by theOSPCA and otherqualified organizations.

Once that process is complete, the society will find them newhomes outside Ontario, where pit bulls are banned.

The OSPCA says Eric Fleming, of Lanark, is charged under theCriminal Code with encouraging, aidingandassisting with thefighting or baiting of animals, and is awaiting trial.

Fleming has already pleaded guilty to one count of owning aprohibited animal and one count of failure to sterilize an animalunder the Dog Owners' Liability Act. He's been sentenced to twoyears probation and is bannedfromowning animals for two years.

The OSPCA says the two pit bulls were euthanized last week,shortly after an Ontario court granted the societyownership of theanimals.