KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two men allegedly connected to a dogfighting ring appeared in federal court in blue jumpsuits and shackles Friday, but left in street clothes.

Rick P. Hihath, 55, St. Joseph, and Cris E. Bottcher, 48, Gilman City, Mo., pleaded not guilty to three felony counts before being released on $10,000 bond.

According to the indictment, the men were part of a group with five others who acquired and bred pit bulls for use in dogfights. Two such fights allegedly occurred on Mr. Bottcher's property at 33335 E. State Highway CC in Harrison County near Gilman City on Feb. 28 this year. Mr. Hihath fought a dog named "Black Sheep" and Mr. Bottcher handled a dog named "Pope Joe," officials said.

Both men are alleged to have constructed the fighting pit, and one refereed while the other handled a dog. Both men are alleged to have placed bets on the fight.

The men spoke in hushed tones to their lawyers Friday, but neither addressed the court.

Jan Brown, a prosecutor representing the government, argued for their detainment, as both men have prior records and a history of marijuana use. She said Mr. Hihath, a school teacher at the Helen Davis State School, was convicted of "terroristic threats" in 1997 and served six days in jail. She said he also violated a protection order in 2004 and that he "does not have respect for court orders."

Ms. Brown said Mr. Bottcher has a marijuana offense dating back to 1980 and that he used again as recently as a week ago.

Defense attorneys argued that the accused have long employment histories and supportive families who were in the courtroom Friday. If released on bond, the attorneys argued that their clients would be compliant to conditions of release, which include no contact with dogs. The judge, Sarah Hays, denied the prosecution's motion for detainment and set bond at $10,000.

Ms. Brown said Friday that undercover agents from the Missouri State Highway Patrol infiltrated the dogfighting ring and videotaped three fights in which both men were active participants. She described it as a "heinous crime" and that the defendants inflicted harm "beyond words."

A dogfight occurred at the property in April involving several others from Iowa and Nebraska, according to the indictment, which claims that Mr. Bottcher killed two dogs with a .22 caliber rifle at the end of the fight. A third fight allegedly occurred in May at Mr. Bottcher's residence, where approximately $5,100 was wagered.

The trial date is set for Aug. 24. If convicted, the men face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised probation on each of the three counts.

Jimmy Myers can be reached

at jimmym@npgco.com.