An Albany man convicted of beating his six-month-old puppy has been sentenced to an year in jail, the maximum, Albany County District Attorney David Soares said Tuesday.

Thirty-year-old Lashawn Carter was found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty in last month's jury trial.

Carter was convicted of beating, with "unjustifiable means," his puppy with his closed fist at least ten times in June of 2007. Carter told police he "lost it" when the dog went to the bathroom in his car.

The puppy was taken to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for malnutrition and bruising behind the eyes.