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DAYTON — A Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge sentenced two men convicted of dogfighting-related charges to prison terms, but allowed them to remain free on bond while they appeal their sentences.

Judge Jeffrey Froelich sentenced Ennis Lungs of Beaumont, Texas to 18 months in prison. Froelich sentenced Eric A. Lewis of Dayton to a year in prison.

The two were arrested Oct. 26, 2006 at Lewis' home, 43 Boltin St., after Dayton police drove through an alley and spotted a large number of pit bulls in Lungs' minivan and Lewis' yard, according to Montgomery County prosecutors.

The arrests were part of several arrests and searches in late 2006 that ultimately led to 72 pit bulls being confiscated.

The two were to go on trial together starting Dec. 3, but Lewis pleaded no contest on Nov. 30 to 14 dogfighting counts and three counts of possessing criminal tools.

Lungs went to trial, but after three days of testimony he decided to plead no contest to 25 counts of possessing a dog for dogfighting and two counts of possessing criminal tools.

Froelich also ordered the two men to pay $50,000 each in restitution to the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, where the dogs were taken and held. Most of the dogs have since been euthanized.

Attorney John Rion, who represented Lungs, said his client was merely a dog transporter who was not involved in any illegal activity and would appeal the convictions.

"Ennis Lungs was caring for those animals," Rion said. "He cherishes animals."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057 or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com.