NEW YORK —  A court ruling has taken a bite out of DMX for failing to fulfill a contract to promote a clothing line for dogs including caps, scarves, raincoats and bomber jackets.

The 36-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was ordered to pay a $242,000 judgment to Amusing Diversions Inc., a company that produced and marketed the canine clothing line, named for his dog Boomer 129.

"DMX, it appears, is known for his growl and bark and is called Pit Bull (which according to the evidence ... he has tattooed on his back)," noted Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Jane Goodman's ruling, announced Tuesday.

His longtime lawyer, Murray Richman, said he hadn't heard of the case and it was possible Simmons didn't have an attorney working on it. He said Simmons couldn't be reached for comment.

The business relationship got off to a good start but turned sour after Simmons failed to promote the merchandise on TV, at concerts and other public events as called for by the contract, and also publicized competitors, causing substantial damages to the plaintiff, the court said.

In the July 25 ruling, the court said Simmons had repeatedly ignored court proceedings and orders and that his attorney had been excused at the rapper's request.

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Simmons' albums include "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" and "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood."

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