Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The dog would have been better off in a kennel, but his human abuser is headed to the jail house.
Robert Nielson, 67, of Petaluma, was sentenced to 120 days in jail after he negotiated a plea deal with a Sonoma County judge. He was charged with one count of animal cruelty, which carries a sentence of three years, after his brown chocolate Labrador was found "weak, sick and starving" by the side of the road in January, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Nielson will be prohibited from owning any animals in the future, other than his cat. He will also be required to complete counseling.
His sentence is scheduled to begin Aug. 17, but he could be accepted for work furlough and avoid jail altogether.
The dog, known as "Boomer," has been adopted and has recovered rapidly.
Police arrested Nielson in March after an anonymous tip fingered him as Boomer's neglectful owner.
Exactly how Boomer and Nielson had such a falling-out is unknown.
