Pit Bull Owner Fined After Dogs Kill Sheep Herd

A Port Hope man whose pit bulls escaped and killed a sheep herd in Michigan's rural Thumb region has been ordered to pay restitution and perform community service.

The Bay City Times reports that 25-year-old Matthew Leese (LAY-see) was sentenced Friday in Huron County District Court. Leese will pay $21,000 and perform 30 hours of community service.

He pleaded guilty last month to having a stray dog and unlicensed dog. He also agreed to pay the restitution and put the dogs down.

Leese's pit bulls killed more than 20 sheep June 3 that were being boarded on a farm in Rubicon Township, about 70 miles northeast of Saginaw.

Leese is scheduled to start paying restitution after a Sept. 24 status conference.

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