A Superior Court judge issued the maximum sentence Thursday to Hugo Vargas Garcia, 41, despite a defense attorney's plea that he is a paranoid schizophrenic. Attorney Peter Weiss also noted that Garcia's conviction for animal cruelty was not a "serious or violent felony."

"That's as high a degree of callousness and viciousness as I've seen in this position," Judge Anita H. Dymant said.

The dog survived the November 26 attack.

The dog's owner, Judy Ream, pleaded with the judge to show no leniency, contending that Garcia showed no remorse.

During trial, Ream and her husband, James, testified that they saw Garcia plunge a Swiss army knife into their 2-year-old dog's skull because he was upset by its barking.

"I raised this dog since he was a puppy," Ream said. "I cannot begin to describe how I felt when I saw a knife stuck between his head."

Deputy District Attorney Sandi Roth said Garcia was a threat to public safety and noted that he previously served prison time for numerous thefts and weapons violations.

Garcia did not hear his sentence because the judge ordered him removed from the courtroom for repeatedly screaming at the prosecutor.