Plea offer in dog torture case withdrawn

A man accused of assaulting his girlfriend and torturing her puppy wants more time to consider a plea deal offered by prosecutors.

But after a hearing Thursday in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City, prosecutors consider the offer rejected.

"I think there will be a resolution in this case. I think it will be soon," Anthony Spidle's attorney, Mike Peterson, told the judge. "He's not trying to be obstructionist."

As animal-rights activists and the alleged victim looked on, prosecutors indicated that with a series of delays in the case, they were ready to remove the offer.

"I think it's at this point the state has an obligation to move forward on charges yet to be filed," said prosecutor Greg Ferbrache. "The state considers the offer rejected."

Spidle, 21, is charged with animal cruelty, a third-degree felony, and attempted aggravated assault, a class A misdemeanor. He is accused of badly beating his girlfriend's 6-month-old puppy, Gabriella, by hitting it with a skateboard and a tennis racket and tossing the animal up against a wall — all while it was being recorded on her voice mail for her to hear.

Spidle is the first adult to be charged under a new animal torture law passed by the Utah Legislature to crack down on animal-cruelty cases by elevating them to felonies. Ann Davis, the director of the Animal Advocacy Alliance of Utah, left the court somewhat frustrated by another delay in the case, but said it is good that the system is moving forward against Spidle.

"It's working. The law is working," she said of the felony charge.

The judge hearing the case also expressed frustration at the delays, saying that if a resolution wasn't reached by June 15, he would set it for trial. Peterson asked for a disposition hearing, apparently hopeful that a plea deal can still be struck.

Davis, who is caring for Gabriella, said the 8-month-old dog has fully recovered.

"This dog is wonderful," she said. "She's been through a lot, obviously. She's a loving, sweet dog."

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