Article content

Steven Helfer, 24, was sentenced to two years in jail Thursday for his notorious 2013 attack on his pet dog, Breezy.

But with credit for time served, Helfer will serve less than a year for the brutal assault that sparked widespread outrage.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Breezy abuser sentenced to two years Back to video

Helfer was arrested last Oct. 13 after he kicked Breezy, a black Labrador-shepherd mix, struck her with a rake three or four times, hit her repeatedly with a long-handled shovel until she lay motionless on the ground, then threw her body in a dumpster.

The appalling attack was sparked by an argument with his mother. Helfer later told Dr. Helen Ward, a forensic psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, that he first kicked Breezy because his mother told him not to and then “freaked out.”

Ottawa Humane Society

When neighbours twice tried to intervene, he threatened them with the rake and shovel.

Helfer pleaded guilty last December to charges of maiming a dog, criminal harassment and two counts of assault with a weapon.