AKRON, OH      An Akron man, who was among 47 people arrested in November during a raid on one of the biggest dog fighting rings in Northeast Ohio history, is now facing charges of animal cruelty. 53-year-old Robbie Hollis was arrested, after authorities raided his home on Christmas Eve, and found six dogs that did not have access to fresh food and water, and were in some cases emaciated and in need of emergency medical care.

The five pit bulls and a German shepherd mix are now being cared for by the Humane Society of Greater Akron.

Fox 8 went to Hollis’ home to ask him about the treatment of his dogs and his arrest on six counts of animal cruelty, but he would not speak with us. Hollis pled not guilty to a felony charge of dog fighting for his role in the ring that was busted up in November,  but the animal cruelty charges he now faces for the treatment of his own dogs, is a misdemeanor.

Animal welfare workers say the laws in Ohio need to change.

“Egregious acts of animal cruelty, of companion animal cruelty, prosecutors should have the discretion to charge a felony on a first offense, which right now we do not have, all acts of animal cruelty and neglect, unless it is committed by the owner/operator of a kennel, are misdemeanors,” said Sharon Harvey of the Animal Protective League.  “If we want to be a compassionate and humane society as a whole, that compassion and humanity needs to extend to our animal friends as well as tom each other.”