JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. -- A Conifer man was sentenced Thursday for shooting the family dog in front of his four children after the dog took food off his plate.

Calling his actions "shocking," the district judge sentenced Devin Shane Calhoun, 36, to 45 days in the county jail and three years of probation. He also has to complete 12 sessions of animal abuse treatment and attend 36 weeks of domestic violence classes.

In August 2007, Calhoun was at home with his wife and four children when the family's pet -- a 5-month-old border collie named Lucky -- snagged food off his plate, which was on the coffee table.

Calhoun, who was intoxicated, grabbed his loaded 44. caliber revolver, took the dog outside and shot it.

Fortunately, the gunshot just grazed Lucky and he ran away, returning the next day after Calhoun was taken into custody.

When deputies arrived on the day of the shooting, Calhoun told them that he had shot the dog, which he had presumed was dead.

Attorneys on both side agreed that Calhoun has significant mental health issues, for which he had been prescribed medication. But Calhoun admitted he had stopped taking the medication and attemptted to use alcohol or illegal drugs to self-medicate.

Because of this, pre-sentence evaluators deemed him a "high risk to reoffend." Shortly after Calhoun was arrested and charged in this case, he was arrested in Park County on charges of driving under the influence.

Prosecutor Elly Peirson expressed concern that while Calhoun has mental health issues he chose not to take his medication that day and took his anger out on the family dog. She cited research that shows a correlation between animal abuse and violence against humans. One study she referred to, done at Northeastern University in Massachusetts, reports that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violence against a human.

District Judge Lily Oeffler said she was very concerned that a man who knew he had mental health issues had a loaded revolver in his house where his wife and four children live.

Oeffler further said that while she was glad Lucky was all right, she was concerned about the effect on his children.

She ordered that he comply with mental health treatment, including taking prescribed medication and therapy, and said he should find and keep a job.

In January, Calhoun pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor count of using a weapon while drunk.