Pierce Co. man gets 6 months for beating dog

TACOMA — A Pierce County man who beat a neighbor’s dog with a hatchet after luring it with treats has been sentenced to six months in jail.

The Pierce County prosecutor’s office said Ricky Knowles, 55, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree animal cruelty in July.

Prosecutors said Orting police were called in after neighbors saw Knowles beating the dog last March. They said police found the dog — Kona — in Knowles’ garage tied to a pole, bleeding from severe wounds to his head and neck. They say animal control officers had to cut a piece of wire from around the dog’s neck.

Dog owner Sam Hokanson said Knowles had complained before about the dog’s barking but the men had spoken and Hokanson thought they had come to an agreement.

Prosecutors had asked for a 12-months sentence.