Abu Ghraib dog handler gets 6 months for abuse

WASHINGTON, Mar 22 (Reuters) A US Army dog handler has been sentenced to roughly 6 months in prison for abusing detainees at Baghdad's notorious Abu Ghraib facility, an Army spokeswoman said today.

Sgt. Michael Smith, 24, will also have his rank reduced to private and must pay a 2,250 dollar fine for using his unmuzzled dog to harass and threaten inmates at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004, Army spokeswoman Shaunteh Kelly said.

After he serves his 179-day sentence he will be released from the military with a bad conduct discharge, Kelly said.

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