Burkburnett Man Gets Jail Time for Animal Cruelty

TEXAS -- A Burkburnett man is sentenced to county jail for his involvement in what authorities say was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they've ever seen.

Juan Almendarez Jr. was found guilty last month of cruelty to non-livestock animals for torture.

This morning, he was sentenced to 10 months in county jail.

Prosecutors say they hope that sentence sends a message to the people of Wichita County.

Stephen Rancourt, Wichita County assistant district attorney, says, "I hope it goes to show that the people in Wichita County are not going to put up with this type of behavior. When we do get these type of cases, the district attorney's office under Maureen Shelton is going to prosecute them aggressively and we will be seeking significant jail time on them. The people of Wichita County are ultimately going to hold those people responsible."

Court records state last July, authorities found a neglected dog with no food or water outside Almendarez's home.

Arrest records state Almendarez and a woman stopped taking care of the dog because they didn't want to pay veterinarian bills.

(KFDX - Feb 12, 2014)