Firefighter prison-bound for dog-fighting

GARY, Ind., July 12 (UPI) -- A firefighter from Gary, Ind., will spend the next two years in prison for operating a dog-fighting ring, a judge has ruled.

Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez ruled that in addition to the prison sentence, firefighter Carlton Davis Jr., 35, should spend two years in the Lake County Community Corrections program, The Gary (Ind.) Post-Tribune reported Saturday.

Davis, who also was sentenced to two years probation, was convicted in April on 23 out of 27 charges related to his dog-fighting operation.

Gary Fire Department Battalion Chief Donald Williamson said despite the convictions the father-of-two was a very courageous firefighter.

"He was one of those guys I call go-getters," Williamson said.

The Post-Tribune said Davis, who was portrayed as a loyal father during his six-day trial, intends to appeal the judge's sentence.