A Denver sheriff’s deputy who pleaded guilty to a charge of animal cruelty after using Mace on a rabbit continues to oversee inmates at the Denver County Jail.

Alvin Perez, 41, was suspended for two months without pay after an internal-affairs investigation and then was reinstated to the force, people familiar with the case said.

A criminal complaint stated that on May 28, 2008, Perez saw a rabbit close to where he was standing outside the Denver County Jail during his break.

He then got a can of Mace and sprayed the rabbit for no apparent reason in front of other deputies, the police report stated.

Perez pleaded guilty last year to one count of animal cruelty. Denver County Judge Ray Satter in December sentenced Perez to one year of supervised probation and a one-year suspended jail sentence and a $500 fine.

The judge ordered Perez to only have contact with animals while under supervision during his probation.

Perez declined comment.

Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com