A Santa Rosa man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of animal cruelty after a failed attempt to euthanize his 12-year-old black Labrador by cutting the dog's throat.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports Ramiro Ramirez pleaded guilty Monday to bounding his dog's legs and muzzle, cutting his throat and leaving him in a creek bed in March.
A passer-by overheard the dog's howls and contacted authorities. The dog died a week later from an unrelated medical condition.
The 34-year-old man's attorney said Ramirez was trying to euthanize his sick dog because he couldn't afford to have it done by a doctor.
Ramirez will be sentenced Dec. 22. He faces up to 200 days in jail and $20,000 in fines.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
