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Man sentenced after killing puppy used as weapon to assault girlfriend

Posted at 9:15 PM, Jan 20, 2015
and last updated 2015-01-20 23:12:01-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- A man will spend six months behind bars after pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend.

During the assault, a 2-week-old puppy was killed. Police said that the puppy had been used as a weapon.

Investigators said that Timothy Tucker assaulted his girlfriend back in November.

On Tuesday, Tucker was sentenced with 68 days given as credit for time already served. His criminal record shows this isn't the first time he's been in trouble for heinous crimes.

Tucker was first charged with domestic violence back in 1997. He was arrested and charged for the same thing in 2001 and 2004.

In October 2006, Tucker was arrested on a felony charge of fleeing from a police officer. He was back in court in 2008 after writing fake checks.

Tucker was in trouble for domestic violence again in May 2013, and his fifth and most recent domestic violence arrest took place last November.

The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office said after being released from jail, Tucker will be placed in the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program, which is essentially a more strict probation that will keep a close eye on this habitual offender.

"What I would call an enhanced probation program. It requires that there be more frequent contacts, more intense supervision of the person that's on probation," said Prosecutor Jeff Getting.

The judge also said during sentencing on Tuesday, that Tucker seems to have anger issues.

Also as a part of the deal for Tucker to plead guilty to felony assault, the charge for killing the puppy was dropped.