FORT DODGE, Iowa — A Fort Dodge man was sentenced on Monday after an emaciated dog was found dead in an alley earlier this year.

According to Webster County Animal Protection (WCAP), on January 7 at around 4 p.m. Webster County Animal Control was called to the 300 block of K Street in Fort Dodge for a dog that was found dead in the alley by a residence. An animal control officer that arrived at the scene found an emaciated, adult male pit bull terrier dead and wrapped up in a blanket.

Several months later in April a witness came forward and reported that there were additional dogs on the same property. WCAP said animal control investigated the tip and as a result seized two puppies who were determined to be underweight due to neglect by a veterinarian.

After seizing the puppies, Animal Control decided to do additional forensic testing on the deceased dog found in January. WCAP said that a necropsy found the dog’s gut to be empty and a piece of the dog’s femur, tested by Michigan State University, found that the dog’s fat stores were depleted.

Additional testing determined that the adult male dog was the father to the two puppies.

Back in April, the Fort Dodge Police Department arrested and charged Fort Dodge resident Keyanta Wyatt with one count of animal neglect with serious injury or death and two counts of animal neglect – no injury/serious injury or death.

According to court records, in July a plea deal was reached between Wyatt and prosecutors, allowing him to plead guilty to just the animal neglect resulting in death charge, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine of over $800, while the court dismisses the two other animal neglect charges.

On Monday, a Webster County judge granted Wyatt a suspended sentence, ordering him to serve a max of 90 days in the county jail and serve two years of informal probation, according to court records. While on probation Wyatt is not allowed to own or care for any animals. Wyatt’s fine and 15% surcharge was also suspended, and he will only have to pay Category B Restitution.