Woman pleads guilty to dog tossing

FLINT, Mich., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A Flint, Mich., woman has pleaded guilty to throwing her roommate's 9 1/2-pound dog from a second-story balcony after it bit her child.

Patricia Beardsley told the judge she "overreacted" Aug. 16 when she threw Sadie Mae, a 10-month old Pomeranian, from a second-story balcony after it nipped her 8-month-old daughter on the cheek, the Flint (Mich.) Journal reported Wednesday.

Beardsley was initially charged with killing or torturing an animal, a 4-year felony, and attempted killing/torturing an animal, a 2-year felony, but struck a bargain with the prosecution and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit abandonment/cruelty to animals, a one-year misdemeanor.

The dog, which fell an estimated 30 feet to the ground, injured a hip joint near its left rear leg. Dr. Lucian Blajan, a veterinarian at Eascor Animal Hospital, said the animal underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

Beardsley is due to be sentenced Feb. 19.