Sentencing adjourned for P.E.I. man convicted of animal cruelty

A Crown prosecutorwants at least 60 days in jail for a P.E.I. man convicted of animal cruelty.

19-year-old Daniel Ponzo was convicted in court on March 13 for injuring a dog in February of last year, by slamming the animal's head into a wall.

At a sentencing hearing Tuesday in Charlottetown provincial court, Crown prosecutor Jeff MacDonald asked court to sentence Ponzo to jail for anywhere from 60 days to six months.

• P.E.I. man found guilty of animal cruelty

Mojo, a mixed breed dog, required stitches to its head and was treatedat theAtlantic Veterinary College following the incident. The dog has been returned to its owner, a woman whohad beenDaniel Ponzo'sgirlfriend at the time.

"He was straight, cold sober," said the Crown prosecutor, as he described Ponzo'sreasons for injuring the animal. "He was motivated by straight desire to harm Mojo."

Attrial last month, a veterinarian testifiedMojo'scuts, bruises and ruptured ear drum were consistent with "blunt force trauma" and were not caused by scratches from a cat's claws, asPonzoclaims.

You're dealing with my opinion now- John Douglas, provincial court judge

DanielPonzomaintained his innocence Tuesday in court.

"There's no physicalevidence against me, all just professional opinion against me,"Ponzotold Provincial Court Judge John Douglas

"You're dealing with my opinion now," the judge told Ponzo.

Daniel Ponzois defending himself without a lawyer.

Court heard he is looking for work, after losing his job last fall.

The Crown also asked court to orderPonzoto have no pets for 10 years, and to pay $850 to Mojo's owner, to coverveterinary bills.

Douglas adjourned sentencing until May 2.

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