INJUSTICE IN UTAH: Monte Cuch (aka Monte Esparza), who, at 23, already has a prior criminal history of sexual battery, lewdness and violation of a protective order, gets just 30 days in jail for beating mother's puppy with a baseball bat

UTAH -- A Vernal man has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for beating his mother's puppy with a baseball bat.

Monte Cuch, 23, was also ordered Tuesday to serve 30 days of home confinement, pay a $900 fine and complete one year of probation.

Cuch was initially charged in 8th District Court with torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony. He entered a no-contest plea in September to a reduced charge of aggravated animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor.

Investigators believe Cuch used a bat to beat his mother's Labrador-golden retriever mix puppy in May. His mother was away from home at the time.

Neighbors "heard the violence happening," went to investigate and were able to get the puppy away from Cuch before officers arrived, according to court records.

"They discovered (Cuch) in the house with the dog. There was a metal bat and a broken wooden bat — believed to be broken by (Cuch) while beating the dog — on the floor," court records state. "There was blood and feces on the floor." 

A veterinarian diagnosed the animal with "multiple lacerations, severe swelling and trauma to the head, a broken front leg, a broken shoulder (and) possible nerve damage," court records show.

Cuch's mother released the dog to the Uintah Animal Control and Shelter District after the attack and it was almost immediately adopted, shelter officials said.

Court records show Cuch, who also uses the name Monte Esparza, has prior convictions for sexual battery, lewdness and violation of a protective order. 

(KSL - Dec 11, 2015)

Earlier:

• Vernal man, Monte Cuch (aka Monte Esparza), 23, takes plea deal after beating puppy with baseball bat