Monroe man who admits feeding dog needles heads to jail

MONROE, Mich. – A 65-year-old man who said he inadvertently fed needles to a neighbor's dog was sentenced to 30 days in jail Friday afternoon.

Gary Pinchoff told the court he never intended to hurt the dog. The dog was an 8-year-old black lab. The dog died after eating nearly 40 needles which had been stuffed into hot dogs.

Pinchoff's lawyer said his client was trying to rid his property of animals who had been ruining his garden and did not hurt the dog on purpose.

The incident happened in November. At that time Pinchoff pleaded no contest to a charge of attempted animal killing or torture, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.