Judge Deno Himonas ordered John Clinton Smith to be taken into custody until the report is completed. Smith's sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3 in 3rd District Court.
Animal control officers seized six pit pulls and dog-fighting equipment such as treadmills from Smith's home in 2003. Videotapes and dog magazines were also found in the home, according to charging documents.
Smith was originally charged with six dog-fighting felonies and six cruelty to animals misdemeanors, but most of those charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty pleas in July. His criminal history includes previous animal neglect charges.
Smith told news reporters prior to before Friday's hearing that he didn't train dogs to fight and that "everybody uses treadmills to get dogs in shape."
Defense attorney Edward Brass told Himonas that Smith struggles with dementia and a "mental condition," which is why he didn't complete the pre-sentencing report.
But prosecutor Fred Burmester said Smith's failure is continuing evidence of his "cavalier attitude" toward the dog-fighting charges.
"He doesn't take the charges or court seriously," Burmester said, before Smith was handcuffed and removed from the courtroom.
