Man convicted of killing puppy sent to jail

A man convicted of killing a puppy goes to jail.

31-year-old Jonathan Canda Torres, convicted of shooting a 9-week-old puppy to death, was sentenced on Tuesday at El Centro Courthouse.

Laura Keenan, with Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, said Torres’ received a just sentence.

“He received a probationary sentence of three years formal probation with a hundred-and-eighty days of county jail and other standard terms for animal abuse cases,” Keenan said.

The terms include to not own a firearm or an animal and to not consume alcohol, plus court fees.

“There is a three-years suspended term, so, if the defendant does not comply with probation he will be sentenced to three years in county jail. So, that is technically hanging over the defendant’s head,” Keenan said.

Defense Attorney Ryan Childers said in court that Torres received many letters of support. He said his client loved animals, was suffering anxiety at time of the shooting and was remorseful for what he did. Childers wanted probation only for Torres. The D.A. and the court judge saw things differently.

“We do feel that it’s appropriate that he is given jail time. These cases should be taken seriously. There’s a correlation between people who abuse animals and people who then go on to abuse children or even adults,” Keenan said.

The D.A. wants to send a clear message to other possible offenders.

“It’s our office’s position that these cases are taken seriously, not only is there that correlation that people who abuse animals could definitely abuse humans but, animals themselves deserve our respect,” Keenan said.

We called the county jail and they said Jonathan Torres turned himself in on Tuesday before five p.m. as ordered by the court to start his time behind bars.