VIDEO: K-9 Killer to Get Up to 44 Years
A man convicted of fatally stabbing a Pittsburgh police dog has been sentenced to 17 years, 9 months to 44 years in prison, reports WPXI.
A judge said Tuesday that John Lewis Rush must also serve 8 years of probation following his release.
Rush was convicted in December of torturing a police animal; aggravated assault on the dog's handler, Officer Phil Lerza, and three other officers; and other offenses.
The incident prompted state lawmakers to stiffen the penalty for harming police animals.