SKOKIE, Ill. (STMW) — A northwest suburban man is going to prison for repeatedly beating and choking his small dog in a fit of rage after the animal bit him and ran away.

James Wesolaski, 51, of Des Plaines pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of animal torture for the June 7 incident in which neighbors called police after seeing him strike the dog several times outside his home, according to Cook County prosecutors.

When police arrived, Wesolaski admitted he had struck the animal several times after becoming angry when the dog bit him and escaped from his home, a release from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

The dog, a Lhasa Apso named Teddy, was taken to a veterinarian and treated for injuries consistent with having been choked, prosecutors said. The dog, which has made a full recovery, was adopted into a new home, as were Wesolaski’s other two dogs.

Cook County Judge Lauren Edidin sentenced Wesolaski to 2 1/2 years in prison and prohibited him from owning another animal for 20 years.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)