A New Sharon man who had pleaded guilty to 12 counts of animal torture dating back to incidents that occurred in 2007 was sentenced last week.

Daniel Wayne Dunbar on May 12 was sentenced by Judge Michael R. Stewart to serve two years in prison for three of the counts. For the other nine counts, Dunbar’s prison sentence was suspended for two years probation with the 8th Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, which will commence following Dunbar’s release from the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Dunbar, 26, had entered a guilty plea to the charges in January, which was accepted by Mahaska County Assistant Attorney Misty White.

The 12 counts of animal torture stem from multiple incidents involving both dogs and cats. According to trial information, all events transpired between Nov. 7 and Nov. 9, 2007, in New Sharon, and involved two different dogs and 10 different cats and kittens. Eleven times Dunbar used strangulation on the cats and kittens and once he hit a dog in the head with a hammer to cause “severe physical pain with a depraved or sadistic intent to cause prolonged suffering or death.”

Animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor and is punishable by up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $6,250 fine.

Herald City Editor Michael Schaffer can be reached by email at mschaffer@oskyherald.com