Owner of neglected dog seen in Facebook photo convicted of animal cruelty

An Accomack County man charged in January with animal cruelty was convicted Monday of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, the Accomack County Commonwealth's Attorney said.

Jose Guadeloupe Berlanga-Francisco, 21, of Parksley, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, however, the sentence is suspended. Instead of jail time, Berlanga-Francisco has been ordered to pay a $150 fine and to perform 24 hours of community service. He is additionally prohibited from owning a companion animal for two years.

Accomack County Commonwealth's Attorney J. Spencer Morgan III says Berlanga-Francisco was additionally found guilty of failing to provide adequate shelter. He faces a $100 fine for that conviction.

In January the Accomack County Sheriff's Office began an investigation into Berlanga-Francisco and his brother Luis Berlanga when police were alerted to a graphic Facebook photo of a neglected and potentially dead dog outside Berlanga-Francisco's Parksley home. The Associated Press reported that authorities found several neglected dogs and one dead dog at the residence.