ESCANABA -- A Rapid River man will spend the next few months behind bars for shooting and killing his neighbor's dog back in August.

Tuesday, 50-year-old Kenneth Seiler was sentenced to 6 months in the Delta County Jail and 18 months probation.

In February, a jury found Seiler guilty of killing and torturing an animal, which is a felony.  Seiler claimed it was self defense, but the dog owners, who spoke in court today, felt it was an unjust act.

'When Mr. Seiler senselessly and in cold blood shot and killed our loving dog, Pups, he took more from us than the adored member of our family; he took away our children's trust in others.  It is impossible to explain to a then 12 year old, let alone a 5 year old, why someone would destroy their beloved pet,' said dog owner, Jeannie Pearson.

"What I see is a cruel and vindictive man who killed his neighbor's dog in cold blood," commented the Honorable Judge Stephen Davis with the Delta County Circuit Court.

Seiler will be credited for 11 days already spent in jail.

His attorney says he will appeal his case.