Woman sentenced to five days in jail in dog abuse

REDWOOD CITY — A 66-year-old Burlingame woman has been sentenced to five days in jail and two years of supervised probation for abusing a small dog left in her care last summer.

On Wednesday, Linda Joy Levac pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal abuse, according to San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti.

A neighbor filmed Levac slamming a 12½-pound Chihuahua mix named Frisco on the ground several times on July 30, 2015.

A week later, the Peninsula Humane Society seized 10 dogs at Levac’s home, which was doubling as an unlicensed boarding facility.

The Peninsula Humane Society publicized the video on Aug. 20, 2015, and a day later Frisco’s owner contacted the agency, telling officials she had paid Levac to take care of her dog.

Frisco was then examined and determined to be in good health, according to prosecutors.

“It’s reprehensible conduct,” Guidotti said. “We’re obviously pleased that the dog didn’t appear to suffer an injury.”

In addition to sentencing Levac to five days in jail and two years of supervised probation, Judge Donald Ayoob ordered her to continue attending animal abuse counseling and not to operate another boarding business without city and county permission.

Levac may end up doing 40 hours of community service instead of time in jail due to her poor health, Guidotti said.