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CASSOPOLIS — A Dowagiac man who assaulted his former girlfriend and killed her dog was sentenced to probation and jail Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Joshua Ryan Cowley, 23, of South Lowe Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to third-degree killing or torturing animals and was sentenced to two years probation, 60 days in jail with credit for 11 days served, 100 hours of community service and $2,828 in fines and costs.

He also pleaded guilty to domestic violence and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for 11 days served and $780 in fines, costs and restitution.

The incident occurred July 1 in Dowagiac. Cowley broke into his former girlfriend’s home by breaking a window, pinned her against a wall, attempted to grab her phone and kicked and killed her chihuahua.

Defense attorney Robert Kardatzke said that Cowley has a limited record and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Cowley said he was truly sorry for his actions and will do everything he can to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.

“With a temper like yours, you shouldn’t be surprised that someone would want to break up with you,” Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman said. “Breaking in and killing a dog is not the way to a woman’s heart.”

Judge Herman said he was also concerned that Cowley had been given the chance the month before this incident to keep another domestic violence charge off his record. “Then you did this,” he said. “It looks like you don’t take domestic violence very seriously, then you had the audacity to kick her dog and kill it.”

“You need to change now or we’ll be seeing a lot of you,” he added. “Killing an animal is a four year felony and the next domestic violence charge you have will be a five year felony. If you commit another domestic violence, you can rest assured that the court will be looking at a long jail or prison sentence.”

While the recommendation was for no additional jail time, Judge Herman said he thought more jail was appropriate. “You were on probation for domestic violence and you deliberately killed a dog, it was another way to exert more control over her,” he said. “That’s not going to be tolerated in a civilized society.”