MOBILE, Ala. — An Alabama man known as “Bear” pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal gun and dogfighting charges.
Antonia Rico Rodgers admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to knowingly possessing dogs for use in animal fighting. During a search of his property in Wilcox County, law enforcement seized 47 dogs bearing injuries consistent with dogfighting, along with weighted chains, a dog pit and bloodied carpet.
As part of his plea, Rodgers has agreed to surrender the dogs and to pay more than $100,000 in restitution to cover their care.