A Brookhaven man received a suspended sentence and a $1,000 fine and must undergo a mental health evaluation after he was found guilty of  animal cruelty Tuesday.

Jody Cothron, 39, of 2306 Barfoot Circle was found guilty in municipal court after he failed to show up on time for his animal cruelty trial.

Cothron was charged in April with aggravated animal cruelty after he was alleged to have beaten a cat during a visit to the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League shelter. The cat was taken to a veterinarian, where it later died.

Cothron was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 90 days suspended upon completion of six months reporting probation. A $1,000 fine is to be paid within six months. Cothron may do community service at a charitable organization, crediting $10 an hour toward his fine, and Cothron must undergo an evaluation at Region 8 Mental Health and comply with all of their recommendations.

BARL President Lu Becker said after the ruling that the crime should be a felony, and she hopes harsher penalties for animal cruelty are implemented in the future. Aggravated animal cruelty is a misdemeanor, but subsequent offenses would be treated as a felony, according to Mississippi Code.

“I don’t think it’s strong enough,” Becker said. “But I’m glad he’s convicted. Maybe he won’t do it again.”