Brian Richard Minch, 35, of Pacific Beach was handed a 180-day jail sentence March 28 after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty in a Feb. 3 incident, during which he kicked and punched his neighbor’s dog. Minch was allowed to serve up to 90 days in a residential alcohol-treatment program — whenever a bed is available. Minch received credits for spending 109 days in jail and may be released from jail soon if a bed becomes available. He was placed on three years’ probation by San Diego Superior Court Judge Eugenia Eyherabide, who imposed no fine. Minch was arrested after a Pacific Beach resident called police and said Minch was inside his home on Yosemite Street, punching his dog. The resident told police Minch became angered when the owner’s dog licked Minch and Minch followed the dog into the victim’s house. The dog was taken to an animal hospital for treatment. A burglary charge for entering the victim’s home was dismissed. The judge reinstated probation conditions on Minch for two misdemeanor cases of drunken driving in 2007 and 2008. Minch pleaded no contest to both cases, according to court records.








