A Tampa man was sentenced to 15 months in prison Friday for nearly starving to death a 9-month-old boxer named Casper. His girlfriend was sentenced to five years of probation.
Wilmer Fernandez, 34, and Aixa Rodriquez, 32, were convicted in August of felony animal cruelty. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Hillsborough Circuit Judge William Fuente sentenced Fernandez to the prison term, followed by 45 months of probation. He ordered both defendants not to own any animals and complete 300 hours of community service during their probation.
Prosecutors said the couple kept water from Casper for at least three days and starved him.
When the dog was taken by county animal control officers in November 2008, it weighed 32 pounds. It should have weighed 45 to 60 pounds, veterinarians testified.
Fernandez and Rodriquez testified that they were loving owners who didn't have the money to take Casper to a veterinarian. They said they fed Casper twice a day and blamed a mysterious disease.
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