Credit: Alamy

DMX was in trouble with the law almost constantly throughout his life, committing offences ranging from the ridiculous to the disturbing. His arrest in 2008 was in the latter mould.

During a police search of his home, X reportedly locked himself in his bedroom and initially refused to comply with the cops’ orders. But he eventually relented, giving himself up without further resistance. He was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and animal cruelty.

The search of his home had revealed some unsettling things. Weapons and drugs had been found, which was bad, but it was the discovery of abused pit bulls and several dead dog remains that represented the most ominous finds.

“We are handling this case as we would any other incident of alleged animal cruelty,” a police official said in a statement at the time, implying that DMX, who was 37 at the time, would not receive any special treatment owing to his fame.

This wasn’t even the first time he’d gotten into trouble with the law that week. Just days before this arrest, he’d been nabbed for speeding.

DMX had a known history of animal cruelty by this point. His home had been raided the previous year, in 2007, with police again discovering live pit bulls and several dead animals, too. This, clearly, was part of a deeper pattern in X’s behaviour.

He was also charged with animal cruelty in 1999, again for keeping pit bulls. That charge was eventually dismissed, after he committed to promoting an animal rights group. But, evidently, he did not really change his ways, and his cruelty towards animals was a habit that would keep landing him in trouble in future.

X’s rap persona was based around the idea of an aggressive, snarling dog. The creatures were a frequent motif throughout his rap career, but, unfortunately, he was found again and again to mistreat them in reality.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail in early 2009, a consequence of his theft, drug possession and animal cruelty offences. He admitted to wrongdoing.