Just in: Jonathan Kennard Williams, 27, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for charges related to dog fighting, weapons possession and drugs. Last April, the ASPCA assisted in the rescue and forensics evidence collection of 41 dogs seized from Williams’ property in Halifax, Virginia. The dogs, many of them used for fighting, were found living in deplorable conditions with no access to clean water.

In addition to conspiring to sell dogs with the intent for the animals to be used in dog fighting, Williams pleaded guilty to several counts of distributing drugs and weapons possession. He was also sentenced to six years’ probation after his release from prison.

“Dog fighting is often associated with other illegal activity such as drugs and weapons,” says Terry Mills, ASPCA Blood Sports Director. “It’s a heinous crime that has become both an animal welfare and public safety issue.”

The ASPCA remained involved with the dogs rescued during the raid, and today dogs from Williams’ compound are in loving homes across the country.

“Thanks to the diligence of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the local agencies, Mr. Williams was held accountable for exploiting these innocent animals,” says Mills.

Dog fighting remains a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information on our efforts to stop dog fighting, please visit Raids and Investigations.

This guest blog is written by Lourdes Cabrera, proud pet parent of Milo.

We remember it as if it was yesterday. A friend sent us a photograph of a scruffy, scraggly, skinny black kitten with ears too big for his small head. As a matter of fact, he looked like a bat. His name was Mr. Scruffy.

My husband was allergic to cats, so we knew we couldn't keep him. Plus, we already had two rescue dogs who took up a lot of room in our modestly-sized apartment. But there was just something about his little face, and I kept looking at the photos. I also kept throwing hints at my husband…but the answer was always a firm, "NO!"

Despite all of this, I kept checking on the kitten’s progress through emails. After a few weeks, my friend became worried that she wouldn't be able to find him a good home. I became determined to convince my husband that we should take in Mr. Scruffy. Even if it meant he'd have to go through an allergy regimen.

Luck was on my side. That or my husband eventually grew tired of my reminders and pleadings. Either way, he finally gave in. One day he turned to me and said, "FINE, you can have the cat, but I'm not changing any litter!"

The very next day we picked up Mr. Scruffy. The moment my husband saw him, it was love at first sight. He went to the doctor, got a prescription for allergy pills, and that was that. Milo, as we renamed him, became an important member of our family—and my husband’s best friend. Milo grew into a wondrous, regal, appreciative cat.

Today, Milo is going on three years young. We can't imagine our lives without him. And, just for the record, my husband has been changing his litter for three years!

For more heartwarming tales of rescue, visit Your Stories. To become an official ASPCA member, visit Becoming a Member.