Hart must serve 364 days and 60-month probation

This afternoon at 3:00 p.m., Amber the Dog received justice when her former owner, Randel Bryan Hart, was sentenced to begin serving 364 days in the St Johns County Detention Facility, and other conditions ordered by Circuit Court Judge Michael Traynor.

Hart faced up to five years in prison had his case gone to trial, for his attempt to kill his English springer spaniel by slashing her throat with a knife, and then leaving her in a field to die. Hart pled no contest to animal cruelty charges on June 11th, buying himself the reduced sentence.

“Once released from jail, Hart will serve a 60-month probation and must complete a mental health evaluation. He will be required to follow any recommended treatment and take any medication prescribed,” Klare Ly reported from the State Attorney’s Office. “Hart will not be allowed to own any animals or reside in a home with any animals throughout his five-year probation period.”

Hart is also required to pay a $2,500 fine required under state law.

One of the St Johns County deputies who responded to the call has rescued the dog, known as “Amber”. Deputy Sorrells has adopted Amber after extensive, life-saving surgery performed at Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in January. Sorrells and Deputy Bobby Kukar, agreed to split the doctor bill.

“I would like to thank all of you for your well wishes and support on this case, I know it has touched a great many people,” Deputy Sorrells told reporters after the sentencing hearing. “We will post the results of the sentencing on Amber’s Facebook page and leave it for 1 week. Then we will delete all reference to it and keep posting just about Amber.”

Follow Amber’s progress since her surgery and her new life with the Sorrells on her facebook at AMBER THE DOG.