Dog fighter pleads guilty after June 2009 bust

Tue., Dec. 15 2009 @ 6:00AM

This dog was not harmed in the making of this blog post.

Kevin P. Tasler, 51, pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a dog fighting ring that spanned several Midwestern states and involved over 350 dogs.

Tasler, who hails from Jefferson, Iowa, admitted to transporting a pit bull terrier from Iowa to Missouri for use in an animal fighting venture at Cris E. Bottcher's place in Gilman City, Missouri.

On October 6, Bottcher pleaded guilty to his role in a dog-fighting conspiracy and for sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in a fighting venture, according to U.S. Attorney Matt J. Whitworth's office.

Tasler could face up to five years in federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines.