Editor’s note: This article contains graphic descriptions of a crime scene. Readers are advised to continue with care.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Tallahassee man was sentenced to three months in jail Tuesday after entering a plea to charges of aggravated animal cruelty, child abuse and more.
The sentencing for 31-year-old John Pender comes following his arrest in April after being accused of shooting his neighbor’s dog, which had approached his 10-year-old daughter, and then again, after the owner recalled the dog and shut it inside her car.
John Pender, 30, initially faced charges of aggravated animal cruelty, child cruelty and armed burglary in connection to the incident on Heathrow Drive, his arrest papers revealed.(Leon County Jail)
Doorbell video showed Pender opening the car door and shooting the dog as the neighbor’s children watched and screamed.
Pender claimed that the dog bit his daughter, but arrest reports said he didn’t see the dog bite her and that the child did not suffer any injuries.
Court records show Pender entered a no-contest plea Tuesday morning to six felony counts and one misdemeanor.
He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 10 years on probation and 250 hours of community service, according to court documents. Pender was also ordered to pay restitution for therapy sessions for the children and vet bills for the dog.
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The dog, Athena, survived the shooting and has fully recovered, prosecutor Andrea Diaz said.
The judge also barred Pender from returning to his Heathrow Drive home. Defense attorney Mutaqee Akbar confirmed he has already moved out of the neighborhood.
“Mr. Pender acted out of fear for his child’s safety and, like any parent, made a split-second decision,” Akbar previously told WCTV.
We have reached out to both the prosecution and defense for comment on Tuesday’s plea deal and sentencing.
As part of the plea deal, an eighth felony charge against Pender was dropped.
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