Levi Shawana was barking up the wrong tree Wednesday when he tried to justify his response after learning his sister had taken his dog to the Humane Society.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to threatening his sibling on July 9 when he appeared in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom to answer to the charge.
Ontario Court Justice Romuald Kwolek heard the accused had left his dog at her residence and took off for the weekend.
The complainant hadn't agreed to this and contacted her brother, indicating he could pick up his pet at the animal shelter.
Shawana left her a message, threatening to "f....ing kick your ass," assistant Crown attorney David Didiodato said.
The woman was fearful for her safety because of his violent history, the prosecutor told Kwolek.
The accused has a criminal record with numerous convictions for violent offences, including one in 2018 for assault causing bodily harm, he said.
Didiodato described Shawana's relatively early guilty plea as mitigating, adding the victim supported the proposed resolution — a suspended sentence with 12 months probation.
Shawana told the court he's a single, self-employed father who does native bead work and "is on the road recovery" for alcohol abuse.
He also told Kwolek that he and his sister always threaten each other.
That doesn't make it right, the judge responded, pointing out that his actions were the reason he was in court.
The plea of guilt "is an indication, I hope, of remorse," Kwolek said.
During his probation, Shawana can have no contact with his sister, must stay 25 metres away from her, and must take anger management counselling.
Kwolek also imposed a $100 victim surcharge and gave him one year to pay it.
Shawana must provide a DNA sample for the national database.
As well, he is prohibited from possessing weapons for five years, but has an exception for sustenance hunting.