By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – A Niles man who kicked and threw a Jack Russell terrier off a Howard Township bridge pleaded no contest as charged Tuesday in Cass County Fourth District Court.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Wednesday that Joshua Scott Hamman, 21, was convicted "as charged."
The dog, "Lucky," suffered a broken leg and other injuries from the assault and ejection by the defendant from the bridge.
Offenses for which pleas were taken include:
Animals – killing/torturing, a felony punishable by four years or $5,000 and/or 500 hours of community service; costs of veterinary care; and may prohibit owning an animal.
Attempted animals – killing/torturing, a felony punishable by two years and/or $2,500.
Hamman faces sentencing on those charges before Circuit Judge Michael Dodge on Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:30 a.m.
Fitz said Hamman also pleaded no contest in a separate matter to a 90-day misdemeanor violation of Michigan's sex offender registry law in exchange for dismissal of a four-year felony violation of that law.
Sentencing on that conviction will take place before District Judge Paul Deats at a date to be determined.