Rashard C. Poche, 37, got a five-year prison sentence after he plead guilty to one count of aggravated cruelty to animals for throwing a six-pound Chihuahua named Jojo against the wall.
The Killona man was arrested on Feb. 20 and indicted by the St. Charles Parish Grand Jury on the cruelty charge.
Poche plead guilty to the charge Thursday (Aug. 60 and was sentenced by Judge M. Lauren Lemmon to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, consecutive to one year of parole revocation. He is also required to undergo a psychological evaluation and prohibited from owning, keeping or possessing animals for five years after his release.
Poche was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Champagne Fahrig.
District Attorney Joel Chaisson II said the conviction was intended to send a message that his office will not tolerate animal cruelty.
“This conviction sends a strong message that perpetrators of crimes such as this will be vigorously prosecuted by my office,” Chaisson said. “I want to commend the excellent work of my prosecutor and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in securing this conviction.”
Poche was apparently arguing with his girlfriend, who was dog sitting Jojo for a friend, when he apparently became angry with the dog barking. He threw it against the wall and then “stomped” on him, according to the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office.
The dog was treated by a veterinarian, but euthanized when it was determined his injuries were untreatable.
Poche was initially arrested, charged with misdemeanor charges and posted bail.
But the Sheriff’s Office, after it received information from the veterinarian about how the dog died and consulted the DA’s office, sought a new warrant on him on federal anti-cruelty charges. He was arrested again and held on $40,000 bond.
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