A Windsor man has been handed a 10-year ban from owning an animal after being found guilty of animal abuse.
Back in November 2017, a man was seen physically abusing an animal on an elevator surveillance video at an apartment on Riverside Dr.
Michael Bernard was also sent to jail for three days and handed a $500 fine.
He was found guilty of causing a distress to an animal following a trial.
The video shows the dog being hit, kicked and struck with a leash.
Executive Director of the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society Melanie Coulter says the 10 year ban sends a strong message.
"We are really grateful that the crown's office took the offence seriously, followed it through," she says. "The 10-year prohibition on owning animals is substantial and certainly will keep animals out this individual's hands for some time."
Coulter says although most people may think three days in jail is minimal, most animal abuse cases don't have any jail time at all.
"The fact that jail time was imposed indicated that at least the courts took it seriously enough to recognize that custody was warranted," says Coulter.
Coulter says officers were never able to locate the dog and adds the video was hard to watch because it was obvious the dog was fearful.