An Arlington man was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest and five years of probation this morning for beating a dog with a board with nails in it.

Anthony Ansill, 26, was ordered to continue receiving treatment at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic by Common Pleas Judge Donald E. Machen, who also ordered Mr. Ansill to have no contact with any animals.

"I believe you're a problem, a significant problem for society," Judge Machen said.

Mr. Ansill pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in February for beating Hobbs, a mixed breed Labrador retriever-bloodhound, because the dog relieved himself in Mr. Ansill's apartment. Mr. Ansill did not own Hobbs and was briefly caring for him at the time.

Hobbs' belly was gashed in several places and was held together by staples after surgery. The dog spent a week in the hospital and another seven weeks in foster care with Animal Friends.

Marilyn Roll, who wore a T-shirt to the sentencing with Hobbs' picture and the words "Hobbs' mother" on it, said the dog has recovered well and that he's surprisingly docile around people, even after his traumatic experience.

"Which makes me even angrier," she said.