Ardmore, OK - A man acquitted of animal cruelty speaks out tonight with his version of what happened. Antonio Ray is a free man tonight after being tried for the dragging death of his pit bull last march. Friday he and his attorney tell their side of the story to our own Austin Wright.

It all began on Refinery road back in march. What would transpire is a story that would spark a nationwide upset over a suspected case of animal cruelty.

Antonio Ray was arrested after authorities say he was spotted riding his bike down a residential road dragging his pit bull behind him. Defense attorney Michael Tipps says it was a difficult case to try since the public had already considered Ray guilty.

"I would hope that the press would accurately report the true facts of this case and that the people would accept the verdict of these twelve citizens. My client was found not guilty not guilty after tremendous amounts of false and misleading statements being made in the press,” said Tipps.

Tipps claims the ventilation system that circulates air through the metal bin the dog was riding in while being transported was not operating. He says it could have been a contributing factor to the dog dying before it was able to receive treatment. The pit bull was one of three that Ray owns and cares for, he says he never meant to hurt it.

"I wouldn't have hurt that dog for nothing and I sure wouldn't have killed it, so, if anything ever possible were to happened like that you best believe it was an accident if anything was to happen,” explained Ray.

The case received national attention, a petition was even signed by thousands of people targeting assistant district attorney Brad Noland to give Ray the maximum allowable sentence under the law.

He says the jury's decision was obviously disappointing for the DA's Office.

“Well like I say I thought this was real sad, real sad facts, real sad circumstances and I'm really disappointed but we have to respect the jury's decision so here we are."

Ray says he hopes that the public will accept that this was just a horrible accident.