The DSCPA have said they are horrified that a man who admitted to violently killing his dog in a Dublin park will not be serving any jail time.
The 44 year old has also been told that he may keep dogs in the future.
Today Liam Dowling of Fitzgibbon Court, Fitzgibbon Street in Dublin pleaded guilty to killing the family's pet.
The incident happened on August 19th 2014 near Clonliffe College.
He said he couldn't afford vet bills for the sick dog at the time.
Judge Martin Nolan says he intends to impose 200 hours of community service instead of a two year sentence.
He also added that he won't be banning Mr Dowling from keeping animals as he didn't want to deprive the man's child of having a dog.
Judge Nolan adjourned the matter until October pending a community service report.
Gillian Bird, Head of Edcuation and Media at the DSPCA, says they are shocked at the sentence:
