Manasseh Walker was convicted of aggravated animal cruelty this month over the incident that took place last year, according to the Herald Tribune.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office charged the 23-year-old with setting the rabbit named Thumper on fire after it reportedly bit him last June.
He was sentenced to a year in the county jail after a jury found him guilty.
According to the Bradenton Herald, on June 12 witnesses say Walker claimed that he had been bitten by the rabbit and a few moments later was seen chasing the animal while it was on fire
Thumper survived the attack but lost his ears.
Walker later admitted to police that he was responsible for the burn injuries to Thumper, according to the Tribune.
A veterinarian examined Thumper and said the cause of the rabbit's injuries were not consistent with Walker's account. Walker said the incident was accidental.
'The was obviously a heinous thing to do to any living creature,' the lead prosecutor, assistant state attorney Dan Yuter, said in the release.
Thumper is now being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Venice.
PREVIOUS ARREST:
Name: Manasseh Walker
Date of Birth: 07/26/1993
Age: 22
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 140
Eye Color: BROWN
Hair Color: BLACK
Place of Birth: NY
Address: 12343 LORENZA AV
City: NORTH PORT
State: FL
Zip Code: 34287
Charge Description: BATTERY: COMMIT FELONY BATTERY (DOMESTIC)
Incident Number: 201500081465
Docket Number: 2015 CF 018384 NC
Arrest Date: 11/24/2015
Arraign Date: 01/08/2016
Bond Agency: DEBRA CRENSHAW BAIL BONDS
Bond Amount: $7,500
(Daily Mail - March 31, 2017)
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