CLEARFIELD — Despite protests, a Mahaffey man was sentenced to probation Monday for his part in the shooting of a dog last November.

Last month, more than a dozen members of the animal rescue group Animals Matter picketed outside the Clearfield County Courthouse with signs saying “Justice for Duke” to show their displeasure in a plea agreement that would drop a felony charge against Ricky Allen Daisher, 60, of Mahaffey and give him a probation-only sentence.

President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman accepted the plea giving Daisher two years’ probation for two misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals. He was fined $500. He or anyone in his home is prohibited to own any animals during his probationary period.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Ricky Daisher, his daughter, Nichole, 32, and a juvenile family member took the dog to Steep Hill Road in Greenwood Township after they said it was being aggressive to another dog and child. When they got there, Ricky Daisher and the juvenile took Duke out of the truck. Nichole told investigators that she heard one shot while in the truck.

When a car approached, they all got back into the truck and fled the area, leaving Duke behind.

In addition to being shot, Duke’s mouth was also tied shut when he was found and taken for treatment by Animals Matter.

All charges filed by state police against Nichole Daisher and her father, including felony conspiracy/aggravated cruelty to animals, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, misdemeanor neglect of animals – vet care and summaries were held to court after a preliminary hearing before District Judge Jerry Nevling in July.

Last month, Ammerman, stating that there are not many protests in criminal cases, decided to continue sentencing for Ricky Daisher so that he could review the medical records and police reports.

The case was rescheduled for Monday when a few protesters were outside again, in the rain.

District Attorney Ryan Sayers told Ammerman that he stands by the plea agreement, which is appropriate for the charges, considering Daisher has no criminal record.

Ammerman referred to a letter he received from Daisher’s wife stating she was afraid to come to court because of threats of violence from the rescue group.

Heather Hoover, president of the group, responded that these threats were not coming directly from them, adding “we don’t work like that.”

“We just want justice for Duke,” Hoover said.

She provided photos of the dog as he looked when rescued and how he is today.

Ammerman noted that the photos show how emaciated the dog was and that he had other possible wounds.

Robbie Taylor, Daisher’s attorney, stated that Daisher was not the owner of the dog, so any other abuse issues did not apply to him.

The affidavit states the owner of the dog is Nichole and the dog lived at her Mahaffey home. Her case is still pending.

Charges were also filed against the juvenile, who is the one who reportedly shot the dog. No information on that case can be discussed in court due to that suspect being under age.

Sayers noted that people tend to get more upset about animal cruelty cases, but there are worse crimes, such as child sex assaults and murders.

Ammerman agreed, saying that a few of the other cases scheduled that morning were more serious.

“I wish we could get the public more upset about child abuse cases,” he said.