Mitchell man sentenced for beating a dog do death

(KMIT – Mitchell, SD) A man who beat a dog to death at a Mitchell residence last year was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Tuesday.  25-year old Aaron Hacecky (hatch-a-key) pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to an animal, which is a Class 6 felony, last year.  In exchange for the guilty plea, drug charges were dropped.  On July 30^th, officers were dispatched to a report of a dog being beaten in the backyard of a Mitchell residence.  Upon arrival, they witnessed Hacecky punching a black Lab in the head.  The dog was chained up, and its mouth, back legs, and front legs were duct taped.  The dog was struggling to breathe.  Officers were able to separate Hacecky from the dog, which was owned by Hacecky’s girlfriend and was named Buddy.  They took Buddy to a vet clinic, where he died.  Prosecutor Alicia Odland argued for penitentiary time or a lengthy jail sentence for Hacecky, citing his lack of remorse and the brutality of the crime.  Defense attorney Sandy Steffen noted Hacecky’s lack of a prior criminal record.  She also said that Hacecky had worked as a therapist at Aurora Plains Academy where he had been assaulted and suffered a head injury prior to the incident.  Steffen noted that Hacecky had sought treatment following the crime and has not failed a drug test.  In sentencing Hacecky, Judge Chris Giles said the incident was not a momentary loss of temper, citing the time it took to duct tape Buddy’s legs and mouth and the fact the Hacecky admitted to taking breaks in between bouts of beating the dog.  In addition to the jail time, Hacecky was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to not own or care for any pets.