Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995                   TAG: 9504060088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

2 SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR DOG FIGHT IN PARK

David M. Ray, 39, and James E. Elston, 19, were sentenced to 30 days in jail by Roanoke Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein. An additional 60 days in jail for each man will be suspended if they complete 250 hours of community service, according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Alice Ekirch.

The men also received suspended prison sentences, were placed on probation for two years and were told not to own or possess any dogs for five years.

Earlier testimony has shown that Ray and Elston were arrested Oct. 7 after a citizen complaint about fighting dogs led animal control officers to Strauss Park off Westside Boulevard Northwest.

There, the men were seen holding pit bull terriers on leashes, hovering over the two animals as they fought.

Defense attorneys had unsuccessfully argued that the men should be convicted only of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor, because prosecutors had shown no evidence of organized dog fighting, which is a felony.

Both dogs have been taken to the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals, where they are likely to be put to death.