Man gets probation, 120 days in custody for beating dog to death in Palm Springs

A man who beat a German shepherd to death in Palm Springs pleaded guilty to a felony count of animal cruelty today and was sentenced shortly afterward to 120 days of custody and two years probation.

Local resident Hyapa Strebe, 39, entered his plea during an arraignment Wednesday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to case records. Judge Arthur Hester sentenced the defendant to 24 months of formal probation with 120 days of custody shortly afterward.

Although Deputy District Attorney Chasen Chapman objected, the court found it appropriate to grant probation given Strebe's lack of criminal history, according to Thalia Hayden of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Under the terms of the probation, Strebe is forbidden from possessing or otherwise keeping any animals or pets for the 24-month duration.

The Palm Springs Police Department was notified of a report that a man was seen "dragging and kicking" the dog Monday morning near the intersection of East Baristo Road and South Sunrise Way, according to the agency.

Officers responded to the location and confirmed the man had assaulted the dog severely, inflicting injuries that required medical attention, according to a police statement. The German shepherd died while being taken to an animal hospital, police said.

Heat might have also played a factor in the dog's death, police added.   Strebe was arrested Monday and booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center.

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