A Spotsylvania County man was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines yesterday after being convicted of charges related to illegal dog fights and receiving stolen drugs.

Danny Joe Fisher, 38, also received suspended jail and prison time totaling four years yesterday in Spotsylvania Circuit Court.

County officials became aware of Fisher in September 2000 when neighbors complained of foul odors coming from his dog kennels, according to court records.

Animal Control Officer Richard Samuels found that two of the 12 dogs there had scars consistent with fighting.

About a year later, court records state, Samuels investigated a dog fight in which a dog was killed. Fisher's name came up during that investigation as well.

Samuels later learned through the Humane Society of the United States that Fisher had advertisements in the Sporting Dog Journal, an underground magazine geared toward dog fighting.

He also learned through the magazine that dogs from Fisher's litter participated in fights in 1997 and 1998.

After obtaining more information in February of last year, Samuels got a search warrant for Fisher's home.

He found a number of drugs that had been stolen from the Confederate Ridge Animal Hospital by a former employee who Fisher knew.

Among the drugs found was Beuthanasia-D, a euthanasia solution that is supposed to be only in the possession of organizations licensed by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Board of Pharmacy.

Authorities also seized dog fighting magazines and equipment used to train dogs for fighting. Fisher also had an address book with names and phone numbers of people involved in the illegal sport.

Fisher, who was represented by attorney Mark Murphy, was convicted of dog fighting, receiving stolen property and possession of a Schedule 3 drug.

Fisher entered Alford pleas to the charges, which means that while he does not admit guilt, he acknowledges that the evidence is sufficient for convictions.

Prosecutor Donna VanWinkle dropped six other charges in exchange for Fisher's pleas.