Debra Keeley, with husband Tom and their children at her side, told Superior Court Judge Kimberly Prochnau last Thursday morning that she wanted the woman who shot and killed their puppy to receive more than a slap on the wrist.

Keeley said Denise Leahy killed Taz, a 7-month-old bull mastiff puppy, on July 4, because its barking annoyed her and her partner.

Keeley said she and her husband purchased their 5-acre parcel in the 5200 block of 55th Street Southeast six years ago to give their foster children a chance to play and to be safe. But ever since Leahy callously left Taz weltering in a pool of his own blood for the family to find on that awful day, she said the children have been afraid to go outside.

“Five months later my family is still suffering,” Keeley said.

Then, moments before sentencing for first-degree animal cruelty, Leahy addressed the court.

“I am very sorry about shooting Taz,” Leahy said in a trembling voice. “I never meant to kill or hurt Taz in any way. I know how much the Keeleys loved their dog … I hope and pray they know my apology is sincere. I hope we can all go back to being a friendly neighborhood.”

Prochnau questioned Leahy’s remorse. She noted that a neighbor had seen Leahy walking back to her mailbox across the street moments after he’d heard the shot, staring at the mortally-wounded dog as it twitched in its death throes but doing nothing to help it.

She said that Leahy had tried to conceal her connection to the shooting.

“Ms. Leahy is obviously is still not being honest about this crime,” Prochnau said.

Leahy received 60 days in jail with a possible one third off for good behavior. This is less than the standard sentencing range of zero to 12 months for first-degree animal cruelty, but she received less time in exchange for greater supervision after her release, Kline said.

She also cannot own a firearm or go near any of the Keeley family, must participate in an alcohol treatment program, cannot consume any alcohol and must pay restitution and court costs.

Keeley cited other strange behavior that made her fearful for her family’s safety. She claimed that Leahy wanders about naked, whoops, hollers and makes animal noises, drives drunk, rides topless on the street on her quad and takes her shirt off and waves it at passing planes as she yells at the pilots.

Leahy’s attorney, Tom Campbell, said the claims were unsubstantiated, untrue and had nothing to do with the case anyway.

Keeley’s neighbors backed up her account.

Leahy entered an Alford plea Oct. 30, meaning that she did not admit guilt but conceded that should the case proceed to trial, she probably would be found guilty.

Keeley said that one of Leahy’s friends said she had been practice shooting in her back yard several hours prior to the incident.