Ypsilanti man accused of beating dog with tire iron convicted of animal cruelty
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.
Comments
bunnyabbot
Tue, Feb 9, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
@at Cindy and moderaters about not being able to post suggested punishments for the accused. We couldn't even suggest punishment to the full extent of the law! They are not even giving him that!
setsyfly
Tue, Feb 9, 2010 : 10:04 a.m.
While I agree most vigorously with the condemnations of this criminal, it won't do any good simply posting our comments here. The Ypsilanti proscecutor should be barraged with letters demanding that he prosecute this offender to the greatest extent of the law. Unless he understands the gravity of what he did, he will likely do it again. He should be on a watch list to see that he never adopts another animal. Unfortunately, nothing can stop him from having another girl friend except her common sense.
TreeTownGal
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
So sorry to hear this plea. Seems now there's been 3 tragedies.
S.F.Daman
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 4:07 p.m.
I agree with the previous comments. I, too would like an explanation for why he is not being charged with assualt and domestic violence. It has been shown that people who abuse animals will abuse humans. This person not only needs jail time but while he is there treatment so that he won't hurt man or animal again.
KeepingItReal
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
"Prosecutors intend to drop charges of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm and aggravated domestic violence at sentencing in March..." I was under the impression that domestic violence charges would not be filed unless there is evidence of such and once there is evidence of such, the prosecutor is obligated to bring domestic violence charges against the accused. I would seriously like to know the ethnic affiliation of the accused in this case.
MjC
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
I'm so glad that Annie has found a new and loving home. Thank goodness for the Humane Society; make a donation now http://www.hshv.org! And I pray that Eric Rutley's "girlfriend" isn't one of those women who return to their abusers because they 'love him'. That would be a true tragedy. SafeHouse is available for her and anyone else in a similar situation who might see themselves in this story; http://www.safehousecenter.org
calmic
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.
"Prosecutors intend to drop charges of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm and aggravated domestic violence at sentencing in March."... so what does that leave? Marijuana possession! He will not be charged with violent cruelty to a person and a dog, but he will be prosecuted for marijuana? I echo previous comments -- who is the prosecutor on this case, and what is his/her rationale?
Rusnak
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
The prosecutor should be ashamed.
Go Blue
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
"Prosecutors intend to drop charges of..." WHAT? They are dropping charges? Not being an attorney, one can only see what is in black and white - which does not bode well nor is it understandable. This type of blatant cruelty should not be rewarded by dropping any charges. The message seems to be let's wait for him to do something again.............and hasn't it been proven this type of action is never a "once and only" happening? So, let's wait until something worse happens - is that the solution before strong punishment is administered? Another case of roll over and let him go. Pathetic.
Steve Pepple
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
A couple of comment were removed because they were off topic.
ShermanNC
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.
I could not agree more with the previous comments. This individual is a piece of work - a plea deal - unreal!!! What about the assault and domestic battery charges? Let me get this: He beats a woman and her dog and is given a plea deal - disgusting!
Callie Crandall
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 3:42 a.m.
This upsets me!I wish Michigan had a death penalty and I wish I was President or someone in a high important position because if I was I would see to it that every person that abuses an animal be put immediately to death!no appeals,no nothing-I would line up all the abusers in single file in front of either the lethal injection table,gas chamber, or electric chair and 1 by 1 put them all to death because that's what they deserve and I would be the one to pull the switch. Time in prison on this charge is far too lenient. Thankyou to the people whom are taking care of the dog and much heartfelt gratitude and hope she's doing well and will be better soon.
mcj3
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 1:45 a.m.
i must admit i almost cried!! what a loser to hurt an animal that is completely innocent and defenseless towards a man who is out of control. this is so sad and to let him plea is terrible! thank u to the new owners for giving this dog a second chance!!
bunnyabbot
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.
well I got to annarbor.com and read this article moments after I watched an aspca commercial that made me cry (like they always do). My dogs the best person I ever met.
Annie
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 7:38 p.m.
An eye for an eye, I say. Thank you for whomever rescued, rehabilitated, and adopted Annie...without all of you, she wouldn't have had a second chance. This scum of the earth, is apparently getting his anyway...
Jenna Lynn
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.
Any idea who the Judge or prosecutor is for this case? It would be wise of the community to find out and send letters to the Judge and prosecutor to ask for the sentencing to be made public. This unthinkable cruelty deserves the harshest punishment possible.
LaMusica
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
I'm so glad the dog has found a loving home, and that she's recovered as much as she can. I also hope the girlfriend recovers mentally and physically, and that this guy gets the max punishment.
Tom Joad
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 5:47 p.m.
I wonder if Michael Vick put in a good word for him?
ypsidog
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
Another example of GUTLESS prosecutors in Washtanaw County, They should have never even offered a plea of any kind, and given this worthless piece of humanity just what he deserves. I will be researching the prosecutor and judge in this case, and I'll tell you they will hear from me.
Patti Smith
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.
This kind of thing makes me absolutely sick. On a happier note, huge shout outs to Annie's new owners and to Annie herself. Dogs are so amazing in the way they bounce back from the cruelties inflicted on them by humans. Hoping she is back and running with the wind soon!