ATLANTA DOG FIGHTER CONVICTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

Defendant to Serve 10 Year Sentence

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by guilty plea of 33-year old Ossia Phillips in connection with a 2007 dog fighting case. Phillips was convicted and sentenced today on 15-counts of Dog Fighting and two counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.

The dog fighting operation was uncovered in December of 2007 by a worker scouting a remote area of land. While walking the grounds, he discovered a rifle, a dead dog, a dog fighting ring and several dogs tied to trees with chains. He then called police who found a trail leading from the dog ring to a Blanton Avenue home where Phillips lived. During their search of the land and home, police found 15-live pitbulls and the skeletal remains of several other dogs. All of the animals had dog fighting scars and bite marks. Investigators confiscated the dog fighting pit, bite sticks, dog fighting paraphernalia and weapons.

Senior Fulton County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Manis, who presided over the case, sentenced Phillips to 17-years, ten of which he will serve behind bars with the balance on probation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Laura Janssen, Director of the Animal Cruelty Unit. Detective Drew Bahry of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov