Well, Joseph Russo of Stafford, NJ was sentenced last Friday to three months in jail for killing a would-be therapy dog, Diesel, a three year old Pomerian who was in training to assist a US Navy veteran. Russo will also be placed on probation for five years, during which he will be prohibited from owning an animal — though he should by rights be prohibited for life in my view. It’s not clear from this article exactly how Russo had abused the pup in a way that led to his death.
While a year or two in prison would have been more appropriate, it’s still a very successful prosecution by Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr, in accordance with “Patrick’s Law.” The 2013 law, named after an emaciated pit bull who was thrown down a trash chute, increased penalties for abusing, neglecting and torturing animals according to the article.