COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio firefighter sentenced to 90 days in jail for killing his dogs has now lost his fire department job.
Columbus Public Safety Director Mitchell Brown said Thursday that he has decided to terminate 43-year-old David Santuomo on the recommendation of the fire chief.
The firefighter pleaded guilty last month to three misdemeanors, including two animal cruelty counts.
Prosecutors say Santuomo tied his two mixed-breed dogs to a pipe in his basement and shot them in December so he wouldn't have to put them up in a kennel while he went on vacation.
A spokesman had said the fire department received thousands of messages demanding that Santuomo be fired.
A message was left for Santuomo's attorney asking if his client would appeal the firing.
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