Sacramento man faces 16 years for animal cruelty
A Northern California man faces 16 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of torturing and killing dogs.
Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Hilary Bagley-Franzoia said Thursday that during the weeklong trial, 47-year-old Robert Lee Brian’s neighbors testified that he repeatedly abused his pit bull terrier – punching, hitting and choking the dog as well as withholding food and water.
Bagley-Franzoia says the dog survived its injuries but has lost vision in its right eye.
The Sacramento Bee reports that Brian was arrested in October after a neighbor called authorities to report suspected abuse.
The Bee reports that an animal control officer subsequently found the remains of three dogs in Brian’s backyard.
Brian’s sentencing is scheduled for May 2.
