Clifton Park man gets two years for killing dog

BALLSTON SPA — A Clifton Park man was sentenced to two years in jail Friday for killing a dog, according to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s office.

Hank Smith, 27, of Huntridge Drive, admitted in April to killing a mini Pinscher named Nicholas. The dog was owned by Terri Brewer, who was “known to the defendant,” according to District Attorney Karen Heggen.

The two-year term was the maximum possible sentence for the crime, according to a release.

In her victim impact statement, Brewer said Nicholas was a part of her family, and she spoke about the difficulty she has gone through after losing the dog.

District Attorney Heggen released a statement condemning the killing.

“Crimes against innocent, helpless animals can be particularly difficult to piece together,” Heggen said. “No sentence can ever bring back Nicholas, but the result today continues to demonstrate the commitment of my office to hold animal abusers accountable for their actions.”

Smith was sentenced by Judge James A. Murphy III on Friday for aggravated cruelty to animals, also known as “Buster’s Law,” which makes it a felony to intentionally kill a companion animal. Under that law, Smith is also banned from ever owning a pet.