Stoddard County dogfighting suspect arraigned in Cape Girardeau County court

Curtis Pickering, one of three men charged with felonies associated with an alleged dogfighting ring in Stoddard County, Mo., pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Cape Girardeau County Monday morning.

Stephen Walsh, attorney for Pickering, argued to reduce the $125,000 cash bond for his client, citing Pickering's steady employment and lack of prior criminal history.

Circuit Judge William L. Syler agreed to drop bond for Pickering down to $50,000 cash or surety.

A trial date has been set for June 17 and 18, with a pretrial conference set for June 16.

Pickering faces three counts of dogfighting, punishable by up to four years imprisonment for each count.