Accused rabbit killer sentenced

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) - A judge gave a former Salve Regina student no prison time as part of a plea deal on an animal cruelty charge.

Nicholas Coyle was accused of killing a rabbit with a hockey stick and using its body as a puck.

• Related: Police: Bunny killed, used as hockey puck

When the incident happened last November, some Salve Regina students told Eyewitness News they were appalled by the accusation.

"It kind of took me back for a second," said student Josh Crino. "I was disappointed, because we try to maintain a good reputation here at Salve."

"It makes no sense to kill an animal for stupid pleasures," said Issa Demirgiogou, a Salve soccer player.

Now, nearly a year later, Coyle pleaded no contest to a downgraded charge of unnecessary cruelty to animals, which is a misdemeanor. A judge sentenced Coyle to 11 months of home confinement with only two months to serve. The other nine months were suspended.

An animal rights activist believes prison time is the only way to send a message that abusing animals is unacceptable.

“It tells me that people are not really concerned enough to make the difference. We have to stay and we have to try to change things to protect animal rights. People have to be aware that they will suffer consequences if they’re caught doing this. And it’s usually with a sentence of prison time,” said JoAnn Sutcliffe of Windwalker Humane Coalition.

The judge also ordered Coyle to undergo mental health counseling and to serve 100 hours of community service.

He’s already served 80 hours.