A man who pleaded guilty to the slaughter of dozens of sled dogs will not spend time in prison.

Instead, a B.C. Supreme Court judge has sentenced Robert Fawcett to three years of probation for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to nine sled dogs that died in the cull near Whistler after business slumped following the Vancouver Olympics.

Court heard wrenching evidence at Fawcett's sentencing hearing today about how he felt pushed to kill the dogs.

His lawyer, Greg Diamond, read a statement from Fawcett saying a part of him died along with the animals he viewed as pets.

The Crown and the defence agreed probation was an appropriate punishment, with Crown lawyer Nicole Gregoire noting Fawcett received death threats, saw his wife and young children forced into hiding, and had a mental break down.

The horrific incident became public in January 2011 after a worker's compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was leaked.

(The Canadian Press)