A West Lampeter Township man was recently sentenced in Lancaster County Court for beating his puppy last year with a piece of wood.

Damon Bronstetter, a Lancaster city police officer at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth sentenced Bronstetter to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and ordered that he undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment.

Bronstetter also is banned from having a pet during the period of supervision.

Assistant District Attorney Alex Egner said in court that Bronstetter struck his 10-month old German Shepherd with a piece of wood, causing bleeding and a tear in the dog’s fur.

After hearing the details, Bronstetter admitted to the conduct.

ADA Egner requested the ban on pet ownership and that Bronstetter not be allowed in locations where animals are kept.

Lancaster County Detective Joanne Resh filed the charge, which was included in the statute amendment under Libre’s Law.

Lancaster city police, upon receiving a tip about the cruelty incident, reported it to the District Attorney’s Office.

Bronstetter told the judge that he was ashamed.

Bronstetter also has a pending simple assault case regarding an alleged assault against a woman last year. That case is tentatively scheduled for trial later this year. Bronstetter is presumed innocent in that case.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright