Terry Michel, the dog owner who confessed to killing his dogs in Franklin County, appeared in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
Michel pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors of improperly disposing of the dogs, and faces a $250 fine for each.
Two felonies for animal cruelty and a misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report are headed to a grand jury. At this time, a date has not been set.
Michel’s defense asked the judge to reduce the felony charges to misdemeanors because he says there is no evidence of torture or maiming of the two dogs, Caleb and Colby.
The judge ultimately denied the request.
One of the dogs, Caleb, was adopted from the Franklin County Humane Society, which is why manager Anita Scott is invested in this case.
“We are absolutely here for the justice of Caleb and Colby,” said Scott.