SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - He's 76-years old, and John Clinton Smith claims to love dogs....always has.
"Ever since I was a kid I had dogs," said Smith.
But he eventually moved from border collies to pit bulls.
"They had a lot of determination. That's why I like them," Smith in court on Friday.
But following a raid at his home, police and prosecutors say the 76-year old man really didn't.
At his home, they found eight pit bulls underweight and injured.
They also found equipment like treadmills to train dogs for fighting.
According to police, a table found at his home was used to strap two dogs face to face. They said the owner will agitate them to make them angry at each other.
In July, Smith admitted to three felony counts of dog fighting while several charges of animal abuse were dropped.
But in court on Friday, Smith acted like he did nothing wrong.
"How do you train this dogs to fight, jab with your left, and cross with your right,” he said. “My dogs don't understand English. I think its all bull****.”
His guilty plea could land him in prison for up to five years. But in court Friday, the judge learned he failed to show up for a court ordered interview needed prior to sentencing. His attorney said he forgot.
The case has a history of numerous delays and the judge threw him in jail at least until he completes the mandatory interview.
"This has been going on since 2003,” said Anne Davis of the Animal Advocacy Alliance. “He just seems like he doesn't see this as a real risk to the community and that he hasn't done anything wrong. “It’s a good step forward and we're very glad that he will be in jail.
Despite the evidence against him and his own admission of guilt, Smith seems oblivious to his public perception.
“I don't care about what a bunch of a**holes like you think of me,” he said. “Why don't you just wipe it up and go away."
Prosecutors said Smith will remain at the Salt Lake County jail until he completes his mandatory interview with Adult, Probation and Parole.
He is scheduled to be back in court October 3 for sentencing.
