LAKE CHARLES - A former southwest Louisiana police officer convicted of shooting and killing a dog has been sentenced to one-year supervised probation, five days of community service and a fine of $250 plus court costs.

The American Press reports Brian Thierbach, who pleaded no contest in April to a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, shot the dog after he responded to a call about two men in the Southwest Daily News' parking lot in Sulphur on April 28, 2014.

Thierbach said the dog tried to bite him, but the dog's owner, Brandon Carpenter, said the dog wasn't aggressive and the shooting was unwarranted.

Thierbach resigned a month later after an investigation found he violated department policy.

In court Thursday, Thierbach said he loves dogs but that he perceived Carpenter's dog as a threat and reacted.