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PROVO, Utah (AP) — A 26-year-old Provo man has been sentenced to up to five years in prison for torturing and killing at least 11 cats.
Spencer Pedersen was arrested in November after police said he killed and tortured several cats by burning, beating, dog mauling and other means. He pleaded guilty earlier to one count each of torturing a companion animal and possessing a controlled substance, heroin.
Utah County prosecutor Julia Thomas said Pedersen is a "very depraved and dangerous person."
The Daily Herald reports (http://tinyurl.com/gwlqou2) his attorney, Dustin Parmley, argued he'd receive better treatment if he were to serve time in jail, followed by probation.
But Judge Robert Lunnen said he doesn't believe Pedersen has accepted responsibility for his actions. In addition to concurrent zero to 5-year prison sentences, he ordered him Monday to undergo a mental health and drug evaluation.
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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldextra.com
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