LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Court of Appeals says a Battle Creek man who pleaded no contest to sodomizing a sheep doesn't have to register as a sex offender.

Jeffrey Haynes had argued the state registry is intended to keep track of people who have committed crimes against people under age 18.

The appeals court released a ruling Wednesday in Haynes' favor. The court vacated a Calhoun County judge's order that Haynes must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The 45-year-old is serving 2½ to 20 years in prison.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

Haynes has prior convictions for burglary, home invasion and uttering and publishing.