HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A man accused in the death of 21 dogs found inside a Hampton home will serve just over eight years in prison. 

Vernon Silver was sentenced on Wednesday to 69 years, with 60 years and 8 months suspended. 

Silver entered an Alford plea in the case back in January, which means he didn’t express guilt, but believed prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction. 

He could’ve faced 110 years in prison if the case had gone to jury trial, Commonwealth’s Attorney Anton Bell told 10 On Your Side back in January. 

Silver was a maintenance worker and had the only key to the home on Ponchin Place. 

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Court documents showed that officers also found dog fighting books and magazines in Silver’s home. According to Bell, Silver admitted during the investigation that the dogs were his, but claimed he wasn’t able to care for them because he had gotten sick. 

The only dog keep at Ponchin Place that did survive was adopted in July of 2017.