A 27-year-old Long Beach man charged for killing a friend’s dog pleaded not guilty today, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA).

Rubin Powell III was charged with a felony count of cruelty to an animal, and faces a maximum sentence of three years in county jail if convicted as charged.

Prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney Paul Guthrie said that on August 11, a person saw Powell kick a Beagle, named Sage and owned by Powell’s friend, down a flight of stairs at a Long Beach apartment building. The witness then called the police.

When police arrived at Powell’s home to investigate, they found the dead dog and immediately arrested Powell in connection with the incident, but he was released on $20K bail. Powell is scheduled to return to court on December 2 for a preliminary hearing.