SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio man has received one of the longest sentences ever handed down in Texas for animal cruelty.
Frank Javier Fonseca, 56, was sentenced in June to 25 years in prison after a good Samaritan captured video footage of him punching and kicking his Rottweiler on the front porch of his home, KSAT-TV reported.
According to WOAI-TV, Fonesca had past felony convictions, including drug possession and crimes of retaliation, that resulted in a heftier penalty.
The graphic video, taken in February 2019, showed Fonseca repeatedly hitting his pet, Buddy, with his fists and a piece of wood, Animal Care Services stated in a news release.
The video also showed Fonseca choking and kicking his dog, but he told ACS investigators that he was disciplining Buddy for getting out of the yard, KSAT reported.
Buddy has since recovered from his injuries and now resides with a new adoptive family, WOAI reported.
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