A Hempstead man was sentenced to two weeks in jail for kicking a small dog that would later have to be euthanized because of its injuries.

Peter Galantino was also sentenced to probation and community service.

Galantino was initially convicted of a felony, but a judge set that aside for legal reasons. That resulted in protests by animal rights activists.

Galantino's lawyers say their client acted out of fear during an argument with the dog's owners because they also had a larger German shepherd with them.