The man who beat his Labrador Retriever puppy to death at his home in Ponce Inlet in Volusia County two years ago resulting in the passage of "Ponce's Law" was sentenced Wednesday to 365 days in jail and 3 years probation. Travis Archer pleaded no contest to animal cruelty charges last month.
The bloody body of the 7 month old dog- which was named 'Ponce'- was found in Archer's backyard. Archer told police Ponce bit him when he tried to discipline the dog after coming home to a messy house. He then admitted to throwing the dog through the home's drywall and against a fence.
The incident sparked outrage among animal lovers and a push for tougher laws against animal cruelty. "Ponce's Law" took effect October 1st, 2018. It provides a greater chance for an offender doing jail time and also imposes a lifetime ban on owning a pet for those convicted of animal abuse.
"The defendant's attack of his pet companion Ponce was brutal and deadly," State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. "The silver lining of this is that the legislature increases the possible penalty for future crimes of this nature."