MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. ( WWSB ) - Nicholas Zotto was sentenced Monday afternoon to five years of probation and 150 hours of community service for aggravated animal cruelty.

Zotto was found guilty in September after a video posted to social media appeared to show him striking a dog named Grizzly in a play area at his pet care business.

The judge sentenced Zotto to no jail time. His friends and family appeared relieved after the sentencing.

Patricia Zotto said the ordeal has affected their family.

“This all brought so much stress and pain to his life and changed his life forever in ways he cannot repair,” Patricia Zotto said. “With the felony conviction he will always struggle to find jobs to support himself, and his boys and his personal goals have been shattered. He has suffered tremen

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