A 45-year-old Woodland man faces a year in jail after a jury convicted him last week of abusing his son-in-law’s pet Chihuahua, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced.
Prosecutors said John William Peterson injured the 7-year-old dog, named Junior, in March 2016 after it urinated on his furniture in the house. Peterson picked up the dog and threw it violently out of the house, breaking the dog’s femur.
Junior, a 7-year-old Chihuahua, suffered a broken leg when he was thrown “like a football.” Courtesy photo
Peterson then sent a text message to his son-in-law stating that he threw the dog “like a football.” The son-in-law left work early to check on the dog and found it lying injured and alone in the back yard.
The Chihuahua required surgery and has made a full recovery, although his legs now have slightly different lengths. Peterson’s jury reached its guilty verdict last Wednesday.
“Our office seeks justice for all victims, human or animal,” Reisig said. “The dog in this case was a truly innocent victim and we are happy to get justice for Junior.”
Peterson’s sentencing is scheduled for April 21 before Judge David Rosenberg. In addition to jail time, he will be prohibited from owning or possessing animals for five years, Reisig said.