An Ypsilanti man accused of attacking his girlfriend and beating her dog with a tire iron has entered into a plea deal with prosecutors.
Eric Rutley, 29, pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty and pleaded guilty to marijuana possession during a pre-trial hearing in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, records show.
Brownie was severely injured in the beating.
He also pleaded no contest to an added count of felonious assault and pleaded guilty to an added count of witness intimidation as part of the plea agreement, records show. A sentencing agreement was not placed on the record.
Prosecutors intend to drop charges of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm and aggravated domestic violence at sentencing in March.
Authorities said Rutley beat his girlfriend and the dog at his Bell Street residence in late August. The woman’s injuries were not life-threatening.
The dog, a 5-month-old Australian Shepherd named Brownie, was found abandoned and unable to walk by a park bench on Sept. 1.
She recuperated with the aid of the Humane Society of Huron Valley, but one her legs was eventually amputated.
Brownie's new owners posted a comment on AnnArbor.com on Jan. 20, saying she's thriving, lives with other adopted animals and has been renamed Annie.
The owners wrote, "Her right front elbow still has a metal plate, six screws and wire holding it together and when the bone is healed and stablized she will hopefully be able to "run with wind.'"
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
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