Duanying Chen, arrested last year for strangling his girlfriend during an argument and later torturing their puppy to the point it had to be euthanized, was sentenced Tuesday to one year in County Jail and five years of probation. Judge Brian Hill handed down the sentence over the objections of prosecutors, animal control officers, and area residents who attended the hearing and asked for a much harsher punishment.
"I can only beg for your mercy," Chen said aloud in court. "I let my emotions get the best of me." Chen's mother had previously pleaded with Hill to show her son leniency, arguing he was unaware of U.S. animal treatment laws and unable to cope with difficult situations because of his sheltered upbringing.
Chen pleaded guilty in May to felony charges of cruelty to an animal, personal use of a deadly weapon, dissuading a witness, and violating a court order. He faced a maximum of seven years and six months in prison. In addition to his jail and probation terms, he must also attend a batterers intervention program, undergo mental health treatment, pay $24,355.70 in restitution, and not own an animal for 10 years.