ST. AUGUSTINE | A St. Johns County sexual predator was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday for sexually abusing dogs.

James Lee Lyons, 53, was arrested twice in 2013 on charges of sexual activity involving an animal and felony cruelty to animals. He was also charged with failing to register an address where he was living.

Judge Michael Traynor's sentence included nine years probation when he gets out. Lyons pleaded no contest to the charges as part of a plea agreement.

The first arrest came after a neighbor on Gloria Street off U.S. 1 said his dog went missing during a thunderstorm. Later he saw Lyons carrying the dog from a trailer. Lyons told him he found the dog in his shed.

The dog acted withdrawn, and a veterinarian suspected animal abuse and bestiality. Detectives investigated and arrested Lyons, who was released on $11,000 bail.

A court-ordered pretrial condition of his release was that he would not have any pets at home. St. Johns County Animal Control officers went to Lyons' home and took two dogs, including a 42-pound female terrier mix that had injuries.

A veterinarian described the terrier's injuries as "appalling," according to the Sheriff's Office.

Lyons was arrested again and was also charged with failure to register as a sexual predator. He lived at a U.S. 1 South residence without registering the address.

The first dog's owner moved from the home shortly after the incident. He was at Wednesday's hearing but did not want to speak in court.

Lyons was convicted in 1998 of attempted sexual battery on a child and sexual act with a child while in a familial role. He was sentenced to prison for about 14 years and was released in June 2011.