A 27-year-old Port Angeles man was convicted of two counts of animal cruelty in the second degree last week after a citizen reported seeing two severely underweight dogs at a Port Angeles residence.

Clallam County District Court I Judge Rick Porter sentenced Joshua Almaden to 10 days in jail, a $250 fine and a $1,000 civil penalty to the county for future prosecution of animal cruelty cases and the care of forfeited animals pending trial.

Porter also ordered Almaden’s two seized pit bulls, “Petey” and “Stitch,” forfeited; additionally, Almaden may not own pets for two years.

On Feb. 5, information was filed in Clallam County District Court I charging Almaden with animal cruelty. The charges came as a result of an investigation initiated by Animal Control Deputy Tracey Kellas following a Jan. 15 citizen’s report that two pit bull dogs on the 4300 block of Doss Road appeared malnourished and their ribs were visible.

Based on the deputy’s training and experience, both dogs were evaluated and found to be severely underweight, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. Though the owner could not be contacted, a search warrant was secured and the two dogs were taken into custody.

After evaluations by two veterinarians, blood work and an interview with the dog’s owner (Almaden), charges of animal cruelty were filed by Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven Johnson.

On April 23, Almaden was found guilty after a jury trial on the two counts of animal cruelty.