A man from Oceanside, Calif., was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 1 for torturing and killing at least 10 cats, the San Diego County district attorney said in a statement.

Joshua Boyer, 31, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of animal cruelty on Aug.ust 2, 2023.

Judge Robert J. Kearney listened to victim impact statements, then denied Boyer’s request for probation because he deemed Boyer sadistic and a danger to society, the San Diego Humane Society said in a statement.

“This was an egregious and extremely disturbing case of animal abuse,” DA Summer Stephan said. “Let this case be a warning that those who abuse animals will be held accountable.”

The animals were found on May 24, 2019, after Leonard, one of the cats killed by Boyer, was reported missing, the Humane Society statement said.

The GPS on the cat’s collar led officers to Boyer’s home, where they found 10 dead cats and other partial remains.

“Humane Officers seized more than 125 pieces of evidence, including firearms and tools used to inflict harm, that linked Boyer’s fingerprints and DNA to the feline victims,” the statement read.

Boyer adopted the cats through social media, the San Diego Humane Society and Craigslist by telling the owners that he was a military veteran, authorities said.

“We want this case to serve as a stark reminder that we will relentlessly pursue justice for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Lt. Regina Price from the San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement said in the statement.

The San Diego Humane Society recommended that those who need to put their pets up for adoption not use unverified online platforms and instead visit sdhumane.org/rehome for rehoming resources.

The nonprofit urged anyone who suspects animal cruelty or neglect in their neighborhood to call the San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012 (press 1 to report animal abuse).