HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man with a history of violence has been sentenced to three years in prison for hitting and choking a dog, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Michael Wayne Johnson, 48, was arrested in October after witnesses told authorities he lifted a dog off the ground by placing both hands around its neck, choking the animal. Witnesses add that they saw Johnson repeatedly punch the dog in the face.
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The dog, a Corgi-Australian shepherd mix-breed known as "Old Man," was taken into custody by BARC Animal Shelter and placed in a rescue program for adoption.
"Prosecutors who specialize in animal cruelty work hard to get justice for those who might not have a say in our system," District Attorney Kim Ogg said. "Pets are family. They are protected under the law. We want to hold abusers accountable."
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According to the district attorney's office, Johnson pleaded guilty in April to cruelty to a non-livestock animal and asked to be sentenced by a judge.
Johnson's criminal record includes a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced in that case to two years in prison in 2006.