A York County man accused of strangling a puppy who had chewed on a cord pleaded guilty to animal cruelty earlier this week. As reported by the York Daily Record, 34-year-old Joseph Sullivan of Dover Township has been sentenced to probation for harming the 12-week-old Chihuahua named Peppa.
Sullivan claimed that the puppy was accidentally injured, telling Common Pleas Judge Maria Musti Cook:
I went to reach for her collar to try to drag her away from the cord, and she had hit her head on the bedpost. I dragged her away from the cord, causing the injuries.”
But a veterinarian who examined Peppa noted that she had broken capillaries in her eyes which were consistent with having been strangled. Sullivan initially faced a felony aggravated animal cruelty charge, but Senior Deputy Prosecutor Justin Roberts dropped it because of the “strength of evidence” in the case, citing now witnesses and no lasting injury to the puppy.
Sullivan has been sentenced to two years of probation and he is prohibited from owning or live in a home with pets while under court supervision – he will also be doing community service and undergoing mental health treatment and counseling.
Peppa has recovered and is now living in another home.
(Stock image of Chihuahua puppy via pixabay)
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Mother and pup reunited! So sweet.
Just another “slap on the wrist”! For sure–he will do it again!