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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Earlier this year, a Daytona Beach man was spotted by his neighbors fondling an 8-month-old pit bull puppy’s private parts on several occasions, despite cries and yelps from the animal.

On Friday, the man was sentenced to five years in a state prison for fondling and raping the dog named Coco, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

First Coast News reported that James Guy Bull, 62, pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and misdemeanor sexual activities involving animals in connection with the crimes.

“The facts of this case are incomprehensible and vile,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after the sentence was handed down Friday. “The defendant’s abuse of the helpless dog shocks the collective conscience of the citizens of the Seventh Circuit and beyond.”

When police arrived at Bull’s home last March, they found the small “clearly emaciated” dog chained to a post on the front porch. “She had about 8 inches of free reign, no water, no shelter and no food for her,” an affidavit said.

The same affidavit said the dog showed signs of physical sexual abuse and was “skittish and obviously afraid.”

The dog, now named Rose, is safe in the custody of an animal rescue.