New York: Carlos Hernandez faces just 60 days in jail for slamming little Chihuahua onto the ground, killing her

NEW YORK -- Justice will be bitter for the killer of an innocent dog named Honey.

The Queens man pleaded guilty Wednesday to brutally killing his girlfriend’s dog by slamming the small Chihuahua into the floor during a fight in January.

Carlos Hernandez faces 60 days in jail and four years of probation, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Hernandez, 33, will also be required to register as an animal abuser with the city Department of Health, a status that bars him from purchasing or adopting a pet from stores, shelters and rescue groups.

“The defendant has admitted to pulling his girlfriend's small dog out of her arms during an argument and killing the helpless animal by violently throwing the dog to the floor,” Brown said. “Such acts of aggression toward animals cannot — and will not — be tolerated.”

Honey bled from her ears and collapsed on the floor, Brown said. The Chihuahua died a few minutes later.

The incident took place on Jan. 10 in the Forest Hills apartment Hernandez and his girlfriend Karem Belalcazar, 30, shared at the time. Her 11-year-old daughter, who helped care for the dog, was home.

"I have a lot of emotions," Belalcazar told the Daily News on Wednesday. "Finally, this is going to be over and there is justice for Honey."

"I don't want to hurt Carlos, but I hope he gets help," she added.

Hernandez has been out on bail and now lives in Jackson Heights. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, third-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Belalcazar previously told The News "he never liked my dog" even though he knew how much she cared for Honey. Since the dog's death, she and her daughter have a new pup, a Maltese named Angel, but Belalcazar said there's no replacement for Honey.

"That emptiness is still there," she said.

Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28. His lawyer declined to comment.

Brown pointed out the indictment against Hernandez was the first one brought by his office’s Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit, the first of its kind in the city, which Brown started in January.

(NY Daily News - Aug 10, 2016)