Benjamin Loucks (41) of Erie was sentenced before the Honorable Judge Daniel J. Brabender Jr. on October 19, 2022, to 2-5 years of incarceration for shooting a kitten, "Smokie" in the eye with an air rifle and then failing to get it appropriate veterinary care. At sentencing, the veterinarian who treated Smokie testified to the pain the animal went through as a result of its injuries. Loucks pled guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty, a felony of the third degree on August 16, 2022. First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Reger prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.