DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — A 25-year-old man who pleaded guilty to throwing six puppies from a moving vehicle on a highway last year has been sentenced to spend just four months in jail.
The judge sentenced Memphis Lor on four counts of torture of a companion animal on Monday — 30 days for each count.
The local residents who adopted the surviving puppies spoke with FOX 13 News and said that while nothing can undo the damage that has been done, they feel some justice was served.
WATCH: Adopted owners of Davis County puppy thrown out window hope for justice after suspect pleads guilty
Lor was arrested on Oct. 22 after he traveled southbound on US-89 between Fruit Heights and Layton, and intentionally threw the weeks-old puppies from his car's window.
The prosecution showed images to the court of how the puppies' mother was found abandoned on the side of a road, extremely malnourished and separated from her puppies. The surviving puppies had injuries, but two did not make it.
If Lor is successful through the probation process, he will only serve 120 days in jail, without the ability to earn time for good behavior. Lor's probation is for 36 months, and during that time, he is required to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any treatment plans that officials put in place.
Lor will also not be allowed to own or live with companion animals during his probation.
If he fails to follow the guidelines, he will face four consecutive sentences of 0-5 years.
Lor was also fined $5,000 for each of the four charges, but the judge reduced the total to $750 if he completes probation. However, he will still owe $5,329 in restitution to the Davis County Animal Control to pay for the dogs' treatment.
Karissa Glynn is the new owner of one of those puppies.
“We're glad that justice is being served, and that he's going to go to jail," she said. "It sets a precedent for people who do these kinds of crimes... I wish he got more jail time, of course. You know, that's always the hope, but I mean, he went into custody immediately today. It was gratifying to see the handcuffs put on him, and he was walked out of that courtroom.”
"I'm very sorry, and I wish I could go back," Lor said during his sentencing hearing. "But I can’t, so I’m just very, very sorry.”
WATCH: Davis County puppies reunite with their mother after being thrown out car window
His defense attorney argued about the definition of “victim” in Utah law.
"The Utah state legislature defines victims as any natural person but does not speak to animals as victims," David Clark said. "Mr. Lor is sorry about what happened. We all feel horribly for these animals who suffered this way, but by statute, your honor, they're not victims.”
But the judge shared his concerns about Lor's actions regardless.
“For a person to take this sort of calculated and cruel action toward a dog — in this case, several dogs — is a likely indicator, or at least makes it more likely that they might do something cruel to a human being," Judge Michael Edwards said.
Glynn — who adopted George, the puppy who was found with the most injuries — feels animals need more rights in the state of Utah.
“Anything thrown out of a car at 60 miles, 65 miles an hour is going to feel pain," Glynn told FOX 13 News. "So it doesn't matter if they don't have a voice to say that they suffered — they did, and it doesn't matter if they're a person or not.”
The prosecution argued that Lor felt no remorse, especially during his interview with police.
"When they asked him, 'What were you thinking? Why did you do this?' He responded, 'I thought it would be easier to get rid of them,'" prosecutor Josh Wayment said. "He thought it would be an easier death. His intention was to kill these dogs.”
The sentencing was handed down after a victim statement from Michelle Hicks, the director of animal care for Davis County, in addition to the 101 letters submitted to the court from the community.
"What happened wasn't a momentary lapse in judgment, but it was a series of sustained daily choices made to inflict prolonged suffering on helpless animals whose needs are basic," Hicks stated.
“By choosing that highway, the defendant was weaponizing our community. He didn't just try to kill these animals; he tried to force an unsuspecting driver to do it for him... My officers didn't get to rescue these animals. Instead, they had to perform the grim task of recovering their remains from the asphalt.”
"As horrific as the starvation of Mama Otter was, we must also look at the scene the defendant created on Highway 89. He didn't just abandon those puppies; he launched them from a moving vehicle into 65 miles per hour traffic," Hicks continued.
Hicks added that the mother dog still struggles with eating, trust, and the impacts of the stress put on her by the defendant.
"As of today, seven months later, Mama Otter weighs only 78 pounds," Hicks said. "Despite being in a loving home with owners who work with her every single day, she has still not reached the normal weight range for her breed."
Davis County Animal Care officers said the puppies and their mother wouldn't have survived the incident if it weren't for the swift community-led rescue actions taken by several residents. Those who stopped to rescue the puppies reported sightings of the mother on social media, which aided in the officers' quick response.
"While we speak of the survivors, we cannot forget the two puppies who never made it to our shelter," Hicks added. "They were never given names because they never had a chance. Not only were they launched into traffic, but they were struck by oncoming vehicles before anyone could reach them."
