South Philly teen convicted of shooting dog with air rifle

A teenager who left his neighbor’s dog with a pellet lodged in his neck after shooting it with an air rifle in August was convicted of animal cruelty, the PSPCA announced.

The boy, 16, who was charged as a juvenile, wasfound guilty last week.

The dog’s owner contacted the PSPCA’sHumane Law Enforcement team over the incident. The dogwas treated at a PSPCA shelter for injuries to its neck andhas since “fully recovered” and is back at home with its owner, the PSPCA said.

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The teenager, who was not identified because of his age, was sentenced to 25 hours of community service, nine months of probation, was ordered to obey a curfew and a stay-away order from the neighbor.

A hearing over whetherthe juvenile will be required to pay restitution for the dog’s medical bills is pending.

“The Pennsylvania SPCA actively continues our mission to protect animals from cruelty, prosecute the offenders, and rehabilitate the animals,” said Jerry Buckley, CEO of the PSPCA, in a statement.

“Cruelty against animals is unacceptable, and it is our hope that the results of this case we will deter future offenders, including those young enough to be charged as juveniles,” he said.”Through our Humane Education program, we work to inform young people about the repercussions of their actions, as evidenced in this case.”

To report animal abuse, call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s cruelty hotline, (866) 601-SPCA.