A Hutchinson man who entered a no contest plea to animal cruelty was granted 1-years probation Wednesday by District Judge Joe McCarville. That is with an underlying sentence of 1-year, which would be the maximum penalty for the charge which is a Class A Misdemeanor.

Other reports that that 24-year-old Bradlee Ellis would serve time in jail are inaccurate. He was granted probation according to the court file. Ellis will also have to pay court cost of 158-dollars, plus a 60-dollar probation fee.

Ellis and 20-year-old Emileigh Martens were charged in the case after they allegedly killed a kitten by taking turns throwing it against doors and walls.

The couple were arrested after police discovered the dead kitten after responding to a “check on welfare” call involving a disturbance on October 20, 2013. The couple told police that they were upset that the kitten was going to the bathroom inside.

The case against Martens is still pending.