A man accused of animal cruelty was sentenced and a woman accused of killing her dad had a hearing in San Fernando on Tuesday.

Animal Cruelty Case

In September, Mohamad Taghavi, a Murrieta truck driver, punched his 3-year-old dog multiple times and struck him with a metal chain leash while at a food truck on Castaic Street in Castaic, the prosecutor said.

Taghavi pleaded no contest to cruelty for an animal, said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office.

He was sentenced to three years of formal probation, 100 hours of community service, he is not allowed to own an animal, and must enter an outpatient alcohol program, as well as an animal cruelty class, Santiago said.

Arraignment for the case was held at the San Fernando branch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Previous Story: Murrieta Man Charged With Animal Cruelty Pleads No Contest

When Kaiser, Taghavi’s dog, attempted to hide under the truck, the defendant yanked the chain multiple times causing the dog to whimper, the prosecutor added.

Several Santa Clarita Valley residents contacted the Sheriff’s Station and deputies arrested Taghavi on Wednesday, booking him on animal cruelty and drunk in public charges, officials said.

Deputies called Department of Animal Care and Control officials to the scene, and they took custody of the dog, said Deputy Josh Dubin of the Sheriff’s Station Crime Prevention Unit.

If convicted as charged Taghavi faces a maximum penalty of four years in state prison.

Kaiser is now being cared for by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

Woman Accused Of Killing Her Father

Denise Gillis’ father, James Gillis, was stabbed and killed in Castaic in September.

Denise Gillis’ hearing was continued Tuesday, Santiago said.

She has attended court at a San Fernando courthouse and is set to be back in court on February 17, 2015 for further proceedings, Santiago said.

Previous Story: Attorneys Ask For Mental Evaluation In Murder Case

Defense attorneys for a Castaic woman charged with her father’s murder asked for a mental evaluation before continuing the case.

Denise Ann Gillis, 48, of Castaic, appeared in court Monday where the defense raised a question about Gillis being mentally competent, said Ricardo Santiago, spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“The judge postponed the criminal proceeding,” Santiago said.

The case is being sent over to the Mental Health/ Department 95 division where Gillis will be evaluated, he said.