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Man convicted in dog’s beating gets nearly 4-year sentence

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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — A  Battle Creek man convicted of beating a dog that later had to be euthanized has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

Fifty-five-year-old David Hursley of Battle Creek was convicted last month of felony torturing a dog and misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

The Battle Creek Enquirer reports a Calhoun County judge sentenced him Friday to three years and 10 months. Hursley could have received up to 15 years.

Police say Hursley hit a dog with a baseball bat and shot it with a pellet gun in February. He told officers the dog had bit another man.

Assistant Calhoun County Prosecutor Dana Porter said Hursley’s attack was excessive compared with the dog’s actions.

His attorney told the judge the case has been about emotion, rather than the law.