Jonathan Kennard Williams, 27, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for charges related to dogfighting, weapons possession and drugs distribution in connection to the April 20, 2011 investigation where 41 dogs were seized in Halifax, Va.

In addition to conspiring to sell dogs with the intent for the animals to participate in dogfighting, Williams pleaded guilty to several counts of distributing drugs and weapons possession. Williams was also sentenced to six years probation after his release from prison in U.S. District Court in Danville, Va.
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Source: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/01/dog-fighter-sentenced-to-15-years-behind-bars/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeWithDogs+%28Life+With+Dogs%29

1. Why do you want a pet? It's surprising how many people don't ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting an animal because of a chance enounter at the shelter or because the kids have been pining for a puppy (without buy-in from mom and dad) often ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
2. Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
3. Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
4. Are you prepared to deal with the challenges that a pet can present? Flea infestations, scratched furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
5. Can you have a pet where you live? Many landlords don't allow pets, and most rental communities have restrictions. In addition, certain types of dogs (e.g. pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and other imposing breeds) are often excluded from homeowner insurance policies, or the owners aren't allowed to renew or continue their coverage. Make sure you know if and how you are limited by housing-related policies before you bring a companion animal home.
6. Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, for example, waiting until you settle down is wise. If you have kids under five years old and you're thinking about adopting a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, you might consider postponing this decision since many small mammals present a risk of Salmonella.
7. Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active—they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do your research—surf the Internet, talk to pet-owning friends and neighbors, and use shelter staff as a resource. That way, you'll be more likely to choose an animal who fits your lifestyle and living arrangements.
8. Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are also essential.
9. Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
10. Are you prepared to keep and care for your pet for the long haul? When you adopt, you are making a long-term commitment to care for an animal. That said, good people sometimes find themselves in unfortunate circumstances that prevent them from holding onto their pets. If this should happen, be prepared to take a proactive role in finding a new home for your animal companion.

Source: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/adoption_questions_ask_yourself.html

Stella came to RDR after a kind soul offered to take her in. She was extremely anemic, underweight, riddled with parasites and heart-worm positive. Now that she has put on weight, her anemia is under control and she has no more internal parasites, RDR needs to treat her for heart-worm disease. This treatment is $400 and requires 8 weeks of crate rest. If you can help please clink on the DONATE button below. All donations are tax deductible and Stella will be much appreciative.

Ville was adopted from Ring Dog Rescue as a healthy 4 month old pup. Unfortunately, he has suffered a possibly genetic heart problem. Ville went into severe distress and was rushed to Dogwood Emergency Hospital, where he was given an echocardiogram, Iv medication and eventually stabilized. He spent a few days under 24 hour care, and is now back at home on daily medication and having his heart rate checked every few hours. While we are still unsure of what caused his heart to enlarge or for him to go into SVT, we are on the road to recovery. Ville's family has done everything in their power to get him back to health, their children even willing to give up christmas gifts to be able to afford Ville's bills and to get him healthy. If anyone can dig deep into their pockets and help his family with Ville's medical bills, his family and Ring Dog Rescue would be most appreciative. Thank you-RDR

Tola was adopted from Ring Dog Rescue as a pup into a loving home. Now full grown and active, she has torn both of her ACL's requiring 2 TPLO surgeries. Each of these surgeries cost close to $3000. While her family would never let her suffer and will go to any length for her to get the best of care and to get these surgeries done, $6000 is quite a pretty penny, especially in these tough economic times. If you could please donate towards Tola's surgeries to help soften the financial blow both Ring Dog Rescue and Tola's Family would be most appreciative. Anyone who donates $20 or more will receive an "Unexpected Pit Bull" 2012 Calendar (while supplies last)! Thank you-Ring Dog Rescue

Thanks to a good Samaritan, a Virginia dog found wandering in California is headed home for the holidays.

An American Staffordshire terrier named Petunia wandered away from the Pruitt family farm near Thanksgiving of 2003. The Fredericksburg, VA family says they searched for her extensively and eventually lost hope when no sign of her was found. The best they could do was honor her memory and hope that she had survived.

Eight years would pass before they would learn that she had. On Wednesday, Oregon resident Meg Eden was hiking in the Spenceville Wildlife Area in Yuba County, California when she found Petunia. Eden turned Petunia over to an animal shelter in Sacramento, and reported that she was found roaming.

The shelter scanned her for a microchip and employees were stunned at the result. They immediately contacted the Virginia vet responsible for implanting the chip in Petunia, and it was only a short matter of time before the Pruitts were given some very good news.

Now plans are being made to send Petunia home for the holidays, and if you have ever had a pet go missing, this heartwarming tale of a lost dog found should restore your hope — and serve as a reminder to never lose faith.

Thank you ASPCA for awarding us with a generous grant!

Ring Dog has just received a grant, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to provide proper care for dogs seized from puppy mills, fighting raids and cruelty cases — we are EXTREMELY grateful!!! Without these critical funds, our ability to continue operating, as we have over the past 6 years, was threatened. This year alone we've taken on 30 cases of heartworms, 5 orthopedic surgeries, 12 dog fighting case dogs, plus countless emergency and regular vet visits.

Thank you, ASPCA, for awarding these urgently needed funds to our organization.

We received a grant from Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation!

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, in need of a helping paw. With the sale of each full-sized Bearemy's Kennel Pals® friend -- a collection of Build A Bear Workshop® plush dogs -- one dollar is donated to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and pet education programs around the country. These funds are available to qualified non-profit organizations in the United States and Canada. Visit www.buildabear.com for more information.