HUTCHINSON — A Hutchinson man who entered a no contest plea to animal cruelty was granted one year probation Wednesday by District Judge Joe McCarville. That is with an underlying sentence of one year, which would be the maximum penalty for the charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

Media reports he would serve time in jail are inaccurate. He was granted probation, according to the court file.

Bradlee Ellis, 24, will also have to pay court costs $158 , plus a $60 probation fee.

Ellis and 20-year-old Emileigh Martens were charged in the case after they allegedly killed a kitten by taking turns throwing it against doors and walls.

The couple were arrested after police discovered the dead kitten after responding to the a “check on welfare” call involving a disturbance on back on Oct. 20. The couple told police that they were upset that the kitten was going to the bathroom inside.

The case against Martens is still pending.