Maximum Sentence Issued In Black Rock Dog Abuse Case

WESTMINSTER, MD — A Hampstead man pleaded guilty Wednesday to 11 animal cruelty counts after officials found more than two dozen dead dogs inside a Carroll County home being used as an unlicensed breeding operation in April. A judge sentenced John J. Roberts to 33 years in prison, suspending all but 11 years and 11 days. He will also spend five years on probation after his release and will not be allowed to own any animals during that time.

Animal control officials went to a home in the 4300 block of Black Rock Road on April 2 for a check-welfare call. When they arrived, they found 27 live dogs and 11 dead dogs inside the home, which was covered in sludge and had an overwhelming smell of ammonia, decomposition and fecal matter, officials said.

Read more at CBS Baltimore.

SEE ALSO: 27 Dogs Who Died In Animal Cruelty Case To Be Memorialized