A Parkersburg man is headed to prison Thursday for the brutal killing of a six-week-old puppy.

The sentencing is a historical one, it marks the first time a Wood County judge has handed down a felony sentence in an animal abuse case.

Justin Bock is facing one to three years in prison, plus a $5,000 fine.

He also will not be allowed to own a pet for the next 15 years.

Judge George Hill listened as bock told his endless excuses, but didn't excuse him from the crime.

A new law passed in West Virginia in 2002 states anyone convicted of a felony animal case can go to jail for up to three years.

Humane society officers were present for the sentencing, they say the conviction is just.

Bock says he threw the puppy out of anger, he says he got upset when his wife told him she was going to have an abortion.

His wife did testify on his behalf; he says she didn't want to see him end up in jail; she also says Bock has been seeing a doctor since the incident.