WYTHEVILLE -- A Wythe County couple will avoid prison time for their involvement in dogfighting and manufacturing illegal drugs.

Sean Dayton Burlarley, 33, pleaded no contest in Wythe County Circuit Court on Thursday to organized dogfighting and manufacturing methamphetamine.

His wife, Sandra Kay Burlarley, 29, pleaded no contest to organized dogfighting and manufacturing marijuana.

As part of their plea agreements, charges of distributing marijuana and possessing a controlled substance against Sean Burlarley were dropped, and charges of manufacturing and possessing a controlled substance against Sandra Burlarley were dropped.

According to Wythe County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Mabe, the Wythe County Sheriff's Office got an anonymous tip in August 2006 that marijuana plants were growing in the front yard of the Burlarleys' home on Earles Road in Rural Retreat.

The sheriff's office found 15 marijuana plants, methamphetamine and supplies for making methamphetamine, and several aggressive dogs. A neighbor told investigators he had seen the couple training the dogs, and a bite sleeve commonly used to train fighting dogs was found at the home, Mabe said.

Sean and Sandra Burlarley each received 10-year suspended prison sentences, and Sean Burlarley must complete a drug aversion program.

They also must pay any costs associated with the care of the dogs that were taken from their home.