MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) _ A former Muncie man has started serving his prison time more than two years after he was sentenced for abusing more than a dozen pit bulls.

The (Muncie) Star Press reports that under a Delaware County judge's March order, 39-year-old Rahsaan Ahmad Johnson surrendered on Monday. He briefly appeared in court before being taken to the county jail.

Johnson was convicted in November 2012 of 14 counts of possessing an animal for use in a fighting contest. A Delaware Circuit Court judge sentenced Johnson to four years in prison, but allowed the Port Charlotte, Florida resident to post bond and remain free while he appealed his convictions.

The state appeals court upheld his conviction in May 2014, rejecting his contention there was insufficient evidence.