California: John Peterson, 45, convicted of animal cruelty after breaking Chihuahua's leg

CALIFORNIA -- Northern California prosecutors say a jury found a man who broke a Chihuahua dog's leg after the animal peed on furniture guilty of animal cruelty.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig says 45-year-old John William Peterson of Woodland became upset when his son-in-law's dog, a teacup Chihuahua named Junior, urinated on a piece of furniture in his house.

Peterson picked up Junior and threw him violently out of the house, breaking the dog's femur.

Reisig says Peterson then sent a text message to his son-in-law saying he had thrown the dog "like a football."

Junior's owner left work early and headed straight home. He found tiny Junior lying in the yard — crying, injured and alone.

He says the Chihuahua has fully recovered after having surgery though his legs now have slightly different lengths.

Peterson is facing up to a year in jail and will be prohibited from owning or possessing animals for five years. - but he'll get probation like everyone else.

District Attorney Jeff Reisig said, "Our office seeks justice for all victims, human or animal. The dog in this case was a truly innocent victim and we are happy to get justice for Junior.”

(NBC Los Angeles - Apr 5, 2017)