TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Tacoma, Wash., man pleaded guilty to throwing his neighbor's Chihuahua puppy out a second-floor window, officials said.
George Harris was sentenced to 30 days in jail Thursday after his guilty plea to a single charge of first-degree animal cruelty, a felony. With credit for time served, he is expected to be released next week, The Tacoma News Tribune reported Friday.
Superior Court Judge John McCarthy also ordered Harris to reimburse the owners of the dog, named Baby Jerry, for money spent on veterinary bills, and gave him a lifetime ban on owning animals.
Harris was arrested Aug. 27 after his neighbor, Martha Tigner, said she saw him grab the 9-month-old dog and throw it out her apartment window. The dog struck a concrete sidewalk and suffered what may have been a hairline leg fracture, court documents said. Harris reportedly believed he was the victim of burglary, the day before the incident, allegedly committed by members of Tigner's family.
Police found no evidence of a burglary and said Harris appeared to have "mental/drug" issues when they spoke to him.
