LIVINGSTON — A Baton Rouge man has been sentenced for several counts of felony animal cruelty and banned from owning or possessing animals for a decade following a guilty plea in Livingston Parish.

Quavis Deshawn Grant, 37, pleaded guilty to seven counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals during an appearance before Judge William S. Dykes in the 21st Judicial District Court on Sept. 21.

Dykes sentenced Grant to 10 years of hard labor with the Louisiana Department of Corrections on each count, to run concurrently. The prison sentence was suspended and Grant was placed on five years of probation.

According to 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, further investigation following Grant's initial arrest led Assistant District Attorney Amanda Liotto and Denham Springs Animal Shelter staff to search several locations associated with Grant, where they rescued three additional dogs.

Denham Springs Animal Shelter staff rehabilitated all animals involved in the case and they have since been placed in permanent homes, according to Perrilloux. In a prepared statement, both Perrilloux and Liotto expressed their appreciation to the shelter's staff for their support during the investigation and their care for the rescued animals.