MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A judge in Memphis has sent two former city animal shelter employees to prison for animal cruelty.

The court heard testimony that dogs were hanged by leashes and cats were stomped to death.

Archie Elliott III and Frank Lightfoot Jr. pleaded guilty last month to aggravated animal cruelty charges.

According to The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/Qgld2q ), Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan denied their requests for diversion, sending Elliot to prison for two years and Lightfoot for 20 days.

The judge told Elliot his actions were sadistic and said he didn't own up to what he did.

A third former Memphis Animal Shelter worker, Billy Stewart, has called the charges against him a conspiracy. He will go to trial March 18.

Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com

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