He is not given life for killing a dog. he is given life for committing three felonies, whatever they were for. Looks to me that the law is working quite well, thank you.
It’s a distinction without meaning. The result is what counts. That’s the “meaning”.
And for me, no dog, no matter what or who or where or how — is worth that, in any case. So, sorry, I just don’t agree with it.
For me PETA means People Eating Tasty Animals. And for me, killing a dog, no matter what, is no life sentence, regardless of what else.