Guilty plea in puppy beating

The man who severely beat his ex-girlfriend's puppy and recorded it on her voice mail pleaded guilty as part of a plea bargain Wednesday.

His lawyers say Anthony Richard Spidle is a changed man who now wants to do community service with animal rights groups and rejects domestic violence.

Spidle, 22, entered guilty pleas to animal cruelty and witness tampering, both third-degree felonies. As part of the plea bargain, the judge agreed to dismiss two other third-degree felonies: witness tampering and aggravated assault.

Spidle had been set to go to trial on Thursday for the animal cruelty charge; the other charges were part of two separate cases.

Third District Judge William Barrett will sentence Spidle on Jan. 29.

Defense attorney Dean Zabriskie said Spidle, who has been in jail since he was arrested in March, has made great strides in changing his thinking and his behavior. Zabriskie describes Spidle as "kind of an angry young man" with issues stemming from his childhood who got involved in some drug use. "We think that precipitated this violent outburst."

While in jail, Spidle got off drugs, finished an intensive anger management class, completed his GED and is taking additional classes that might count toward college.

Zabriskie said Spidle admitted what he did to his former girlfriend and to her puppy, Gabriella, was wrong. The puppy was subsequently treated by a veterinarian and her condition had improved.

"This kid was raised around dogs and they were a source of comfort to him as a young man," Zabriskie said. When the puppy was abused, "There were drugs involved, he was arguing with his girlfriend on the phone and he struck out at this poor dog — and he feels bad," Zabriskie said. "We are hoping it was a one-time thing."

The aggravated assault charge arose from a May 4, 2008, incident with the girlfriend. Prosecutors say Spidle's grabbed his girlfriend's hair when she tried to leave during an argument, pulled her to the ground and began choking her. He later punched her in the face and head. Police also noted bruises on Spidle's mother, who also lived in the house.

The cruelty to animals charge emerged from a March 21 episode in which the now ex-girlfriend heard Gabriella yelping and being beaten on several voice mails, with Spidle's voice in the background saying, "She doesn't love me and she doesn't love you!" Two of Spidle's roommates saw him throw the puppy against a wall, beat the dog with a skateboard and tennis racket and jump on the animal's head and throat, according to court documents.

The witness tampering charges were lodged June 5 after jail officials tape recorded Spidle telling his former girlfriend not to come to court because then prosecutors "would have nothing" and he would not be sent to prison.

"He told me, 'I can't undo what I've done, but I can make amends,' " Zabriskie said of Spidle.

Anne Davis, executive director of the Animal Advocacy Alliance for Utah, said she was encouraged by Spidle's changed attitude and would be willing to work with him.

"Violence is violence whether it's perpetuated against a dog or a boy, a cat or an elderly person, and we in Utah will not tolerate it," she said.

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com