A B.C man has been sentenced to one day in jail for kicking a dog in Vancouver.
Luis Armando Diego Manuel, 23, pleaded guilty to causing an animal to be in distress under the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Diego Manuel had originally been charged with wilfully causing unnecessary pain to an animal and assault, both charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Vancouver Provincial Court Judge James Henry heard Diego Manuel had been trying to get into a Powell Street building as someone exited Oct. 5, 2022.
Crown prosecutor Veda Kenda told Henry the exiting individual had the dog and told Diego Manuel he could not enter the building as he was not a resident.
“He kicked the dog and then the individual pushed Diego Manuel out of the way,” Kenda said.
The court heard the dog hit a wall after the kick, and that there was video footage of the incident.
“It was a kick to the hind quarters, not particularly hard but the dog took exception to it,” defence lawyer Derek Lovatt said.
Kenda said Diego Manuel then walked away but was followed by the dog owner. Police soon apprehended him.
“The dog was OK,” Kenda said.
Lovatt said the behaviour was uncharacteristic for his client, saying the kick happened in a moment of frustration.
“It was just a stupid reaction,” Lovatt said.
The judge said any kind of violence toward a vulnerable animal is aggravating in such cases.
“You are permanently prohibited from residing with or having custody and control of any animal,” Henry told Diego Manuel.
