Accused dog killer, an ex-con, could get 25 to life in prison

Here's something you don't see everyday. A man in San Jose could get a prison term of 25 years to life because he allegedly killed his girlfriend's dog, and he already has previous felony convictions and under the state's "three strikes law" he could be eligible for that prison term.

Alex Castro is being held in Santa Clara County Jail after being arrested on suspicion of killing the ten-year-old cocker spaniel of his now ex-girlfriend. Santa Clara County prosecutors have charged Castro with felony animal cruelty, a charge they say makes him eligible to be sentenced -- if convicted -- under the state's "three strikes" law because of his previous felony convictions. Authorities say the 46-year-old Castro's record includes separate felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious injury. He served three years in prison and a series of shorter stints for six parole violations from 1999 to 2004.