Georgia Man Sentenced to 11 Years Without Parole for Brutal Killing of Puppy

Atlanta, GA — 9/10/25 — In Fulton County, Georgia, Joshua Allen was sentenced to 11 years in prison with no possibility of parole for the brutal killing of his fiancée’s six-month-old rescue puppy, Pretty. The sentencing was the result of the dedicated work of Fulton District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit lead by Chief Deputy Jill Hollander and Senior ADA Elna Reese in collaboration with Sandy Springs Police Detective J.T. Williams and his team who, worked diligently and brought  justice to Pretty.

On February 11, 2025, Joshua Allen returned to his Sandy Springs home after an argument with his fiancée. During the argument, Mr. Allen was told the relationship was over.  Mr. Allen returned to the home and dragged the couple’s 6-month-old puppy, Pretty, outside. Allen strangled and stabbed Pretty five times with a kitchen knife and left her to bleed as he retrieved a trash bag. He then grabbed Pretty by her tail and stuffed her into a garbage bag.  She was likely still alive.  He then cleaned the blood with bleach, and threatened to hit his fiancée with a hatchet.

On September 10, 2025, Allen entered a non-negotiated plea.  Hollander presented Allen’s prior felony convictions and played the disturbing video footage as part of a non-negotiated plea. Her compelling evidence moved the courtroom. Judge June Barwick imposed the maximum allowable sentence, remarking that she was simply doing “her job” in ensuring justice was served for the victims of this heinous crime. Judge Barwick imposed the maximum sentence: 5 years for aggravated animal cruelty, 5 years for terroristic threats, and 12 months for tampering with evidence, all consecutive and as a repeat offender. He will serve 11 years for his crimes without parole eligibility. 

In court for support, Claudine Wilkins, Executive Director of The Animal Protection Society and a former prosecutor who co-drafted the Georgia Animal Cruelty Law with Prosecutor Kim Schwartz, praised the outcome,“This is the culmination of our strong animal cruelty law, the dedication of law enforcement trained to handle these cases and a prosecutor specially trained in Animal Cruelty and the link with Domestic Violence.  Add in a Judge who recognized the danger Allen posed to the public.” 

Wilkins continued, “This case stands as an important example of the role of prosecutors, law enforcement, and the judiciary in protecting vulnerable victims and ensuring accountability for acts of extreme violence.”