In April, Teresa Alo, of Big Pine Key, came home to find her 5-pound poodle, Ameretta, injured in the hallway.
Alo rushed the dog to the Marathon Veterinary Hospital where vets determined Ameretta's injuries were consistent with kicking and punching.
Alo told deputies she had left her two miniature poodles with her boyfriend Armando Corzo, who has a long criminal history that includes convictions for resisting arrest with violence. When Alo confronted him, she told deputies he said, "[Expletive] these dogs."
Corzo was arrested one day after the attack. Prosecutors charged him with felony aggravated animal abuse and he was convicted June 22.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Mark Jones sentenced him on Monday to three years in prison, calling the crime "heinous" and "cruel."
Alo told Jones during the sentencing hearing that Ameretta had recovered from the injuries, but she had "lost her spark" and is now afraid of people.
Following the jail time, Corzo will also serve two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and restitution to be paid for the veterinary bills. Corzo must also undergo a psychological evaluation and complete an anger-management course.