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N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man avoided jail time for neglecting about 170 dogs at an apparent puppy mill at his rural Wheatland home in Cass County.

KFGO radio reports Darcy Smith was sentenced Monday in Fargo and was ordered to pay fines and fees of just over $2,300. He’ll also be on probation for two years and can’t go back into the dog breeding business during that time.

Authorities seized the animals from Smith’s home in July. He later waived his rights to the animals and they were put up for adoption. None died. His lawyer says Smith cares about animals but became overwhelmed when he had more dogs than he could care for.