Ottawa man gets 2 years in jail for beating Breezy the dog
An Ottawa man was sentenced to two years in jail minus time already served for beating Breezy the dog with a shovel and leaving the animal in a dumpster.
Stephen Helfer, 24, was also prohibited from owning animals for 25 years. He was sentenced to an additional four months in jail for a breaking-and-entering charge. His jail time will be followed by three years of probation.
Witnesses said Helfer kicked and beat Breezy with a rake and shovel in October, then threw the 18-month-old dog in a dumpster. Helfer pleaded guilty to maiming an animal in December.
The Crown had asked for a sentence of four and a half years in prison minus time served. The defence argued Helfer did not have a history of animal abuse and asked for nine months in jail, minus time served.
The maximum sentence is five years in prison and a lifetime ban from owning animals.
