FRANKLIN — A man who was arrested in July for killing a dog in Greenwood has pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
35-year-old Michael Lukas of Greenwood was charged in the beating death of his mother's 16-year-old border collie. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of Killing a Domestic Animal.
Lukas received credit for jail time served since his arrest and was sentenced to 670-days of probation, which will be served at a mental health facility.
The investigation began July 28 after Lukas' sister called police to report video that showed Lukas attacking the dog, Gypsy, in the house.
According to police and court records, a man and a woman came to the house and found Gypsy dead inside. As the couple was attempting to bury the dog, they found surveillance video that showed what happened.
In the 12-minute video, police said the man identified as Lukas can be seen pacing the room, sweating profusely, yelling and cursing at the dog.
According to court records, as Lukas hits and kicks Gypsy repeatedly the video recorded sounds of the dog whimpering. After 12 minutes, Lukas reportedly picked the dog up over his shoulder and threw her, after which the dog makes no more sounds.
"For many in our community fur is just as much family as is flesh," Prosecutor Joe Villanueva said in a statement. "I understand the emotionally charged responses which have been flooding in and want the public to know we take the alleged acts of Mr. Lukas very seriously."
