Ypsilanti Township man sent to jail for selling dogs to fight
An Ypsilanti Township man who sold dogs for fighting to undercover investigators was sentenced to jail Tuesday.
Daniel Ryback, 33, received the maximum 90-day jail term on a misdemeanor charge he pleaded no contest to stemming from his arrest in late 2009, officials said. Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Donald Shelton credited him with two days of time served.
Ryback and business partner B.J. Jarrell were caught selling pit bull puppies to undercover cruelty investigators with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, who responded to an online ad, authorities said. They were also charged with animal cruelty for using razor blades to crop the ears of multiple dogs Ryback owned.
Jarrell avoided trial Monday by pleading guilty to two felony counts of possessing animals for fighting and will be sentenced in November.
Erane Washington-Kendrick, Ryback’s attorney, argued a jail sentence could jeopardize his full-time job and ability to get work in the future, officials said. Shelton also ordered him to pay $1,400 in fines and $2,000 restitution to the Humane Society, which cared for seven animals involved in the case. They were adopted out.
It is the second animal cruelty case resulting in jail time in Washtenaw County in as many months.
Pittsfield Township resident Brian Adams, 27, was sentenced in August to 11 months in jail for starving a pit bull puppy nearly to death.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 723-623-2530.
Comments
Deensee
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.
Please son't blame the dogs. Pit bull puppies, having their ears cut off with a razor blade? What kind of heartless scum can do that? The kind that can watch dogs fight, and kill the one that loses that's what kind. Pit bulls are wonderful dogs. They will do anything for the human that they believe cares for them. They are full of heart. It isn't their fault that worthless human garbage forces them to fight. Please read The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant.
Lauren
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 9:13 p.m.
I do "listen and look around" in my Ypsilanti township neighborhood AND am very active in our neighborhood watch group in order to better our community. I have my reasons for wanting to know which street this occured on.
jondhall
Thu, Sep 30, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.
@ Lauren Some call it "Wall Street" other have called it "Main Street". It is all the same country does it really matter? The crime is the same no matter where it occurred. This is Felony material, and this is exactly why I commend Ypsilanti Township for doing something about pit bulls! Listen people look around you is this what you want for your grandchildren?
Lauren
Thu, Sep 30, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
What street in Ypsilanti township?
Marshall Applewhite
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.
Dogs should have the exact same rights as humans! My dog needs healthcare and social security!!!
Paul
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 5:12 p.m.
The animals are the victims in this unfortunate case. The judiciary is far too lenient with career criminals, as this case demonstrates all too clearly. Our prisons are full and we cannot afford to house these sorts of offenders in our jails. I understand that, but these sorts of people are not going to change their behavior unless their punishments are an actual deterrent. They deserve prison. Ninety days at the Hogback Hilton is not going to do any good. Our society needs to take a stand, stop the coddling of convicts, and make the prison experience more unpleasant, so it is a deterrent. Hopefully the career felon's sentencing in November garners an appropriate sentence. I hope the dogs are adopted by caring people who will raise them properly.
djm12652
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
@Sonnydog09...good point...if indeed they operated as a business and failed to file the mandatory business returns [wink...wink]..wonder if the IRS can get them on skipping out on taxes!
SonnyDog09
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
From the fine article: "Ryback and business partner B.J. Jarrell were caught...." Is it political correctness that causes you to refer to these fellows as "business partners?" Were Bonnie and Clyde "business partners?"
UM Rocks
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.
"Erane Washington-Kendrick, Rybacks attorney, argued a jail sentence could jeopardize his full-time job and ability to get work in the future, officials said." That seems like an insane argument. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. I agree that it should be a felony
Trepang674
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 9 a.m.
I hope somebody keeps an eye on these guys so they never have the opportunity to buy another dog...obviously they don't respect the breed or animals in general.
Just_Six
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
Can we please get these penalties increased from misdemeanor to felony status? This is a slap on the hand for someone who is clearly into dog fighting. If the penalties for the PEOPLE were harsher, maybe, MAYBE we'd see a decline in this activity.