Dog fighting trial set for February

BLOOMFIELD -- Two Stoddard County men accused of felony dog fighting appeared in court Wednesday morning to plead not guilty.

The case against 29-year-old Jamie Sifford of Dudley has been set for trial before Judge Stephen Sharp on Feb. 5.

Sifford faces 18 charges of the Class D felony of dog fighting, three counts of the Class C felony of Possession of a controlled substance and one Class A misdemeanor Possession of drug paraphernalia.

If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 94 years if found guilty of all charges and depending on whether the sentences would run consecutively or concurrent.

There is one charge for each dog determined to have been fought at some point.

Thirty-year-old Jessey Short of Cape Girardeau, who posted a $125,000 cash bond on Nov. 2, faces three charges of felony dog fighting. He faces a maximum of 12 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Short's attorney, John Snider asked Judge Sharp to consider leniency in the terms of his bond, but Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn requested a special hearing to discuss the motion.

The hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 2, 2008.

The Oct. 21 raid on Sifford's residence was a cooperative effort of several agencies.