A young man from Florida will spend the next 25 years in jail, five for shooting a police dog, and an additional 20 for various misdemeanors.

Jhamal Paskel crimes include kidnapping, possession of a gun, and armed robbery, back in 2018.

However, killing the dog caused quite the drama. It even made Paskel apologize to the officer whose K-9 was shoot.

Why killing the puppy?

Clearly, Jhamal Paskel has some serious issues. He's young enough to change his ways, despite spending the next 25 years in jail.

He was sentenced last week at Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville, Florida. Circuit Judge Gilbert Feltel Jr. had found the middle ground between the 35-year prison sentence asked by the state and the defense's request for 15 years in prison with rehabilitation.

The crimes the teen committed happened while he was 17. He said he's now: a "man ready to take responsibility for the mistakes [he] made as a child''.

He then mentioned the dog, and his mother.

"I would like to offer my apologies and condolences to Officer Herrera for not only the killing of his K-9 partner Fang but his best friend."

The young convict continued:

"I want to apologize to the victims for scaring them that night. And I owe my mother the biggest apology for letting her down."

Officer Matt Herrera and Fang were trying to catch Paskel. Fang was faster, and that's how the dog lost its life.

The office remembers Fang's lifeless body, and chest wounds, while adding:

"He's still a member of my family, and it wasn't just sad for the department or me."

He added that his family was deeply saddened:

"It was my wife, kids, and parents... to go back and see that empty kennel in the backyard and know that there is no dog there and to see the bloodstains in the truck that I had to clean up after he was killed."

Justice for Fang

What went down the night Fang was shot?

On 30 September 2018, Jhamal kidnapped two women at a gas station. One had to drive as he held her at gunpoint.

Police tracked the car through OnStar. It's an in-vehicle safety and security system. Through it, the police had the system shut off the engine.

Paskel tried to runaway, that's when he saw Fang. And shoot the dog.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson said in a statement:

"We are glad to bring this case to resolution."

She added heart-wrenching words for every animal lover. Not the first part, but at the very end of her statement:

"His senseless killing underscores the dangers law enforcement face every day, and it sparked changes in state law. This outcome finally achieves justice to Fang's memory."

Overall, it's a sad situation. One young life will never be the same, and one good boy died while doing his job. It seems like both were let down by older, seemingly wiser people.