Virginia officer sentenced to one year in prison for killing fiancée's dog

A police officer in Virginia has been sentenced to one year in prison for fatally shooting his then-fiancée dog with a 12-gauge shotgun. Authorities said Richard Chinappi III tried to cover up the shooting by saying he accidentally killed the animal while trying to stop a bear attack.  

WRIC reports that Chinappi was sentenced Friday in Powhatan County Circuit Court. The Richmond police officer had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of torturing or maiming a dog or cat and making a false report to police.

Powhatan Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Cerullo told the news station that prosecutors presented evidence that Chinappi killed the beagle-hound mix at close range in October.