VICTORIA, British Columbia, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A Canadian man on Vancouver Island pleaded guilty to beating a puppy to death and blamed his behavior on alcohol and bodybuilding steroids use.
A lawyer for Brent Connors, 24, told a court in Victoria, British Columbia, the New Year's Day incident was "an almost inexplicable explosion" because of heightened aggression due to the steroids, The (Victoria) Times Colonist reported Thursday.
Police, responding to calls from other motel guests, found the 12-week-old pit bull named Bandit unconscious on the bed, surrounded by blood and feces, court heard.
The dog was rushed to emergency veterinarian care, but was dead on arrival. It had facial and skull fractures, 10 broken ribs and a lacerated liver, the report said. It also had a human bite mark on its abdomen, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.
Protesters marched outside the courtroom Wednesday calling for a harsh jail term at Connors' sentencing hearing Feb. 2.
Prosecutors are seeking at least a three-month sentence and a 10-year ban on owning animals, while the defense want a 45-day sentence with credit for time served, the reports said.
Connors is segregated from other prisoners for his own safety, the CBC said.
