Monte Cuch (aka Monte Esparza), 23, was initially charged in 8th District Court with torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony. On Tuesday, he entered a no contest plea to aggravated animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor.
Investigators believe Cuch beat his mother's young Labrador - Golden Retriever mix on May 1 while his mother was away from home, according to a document filed as part of Cuch's plea. People living in the area "heard the violence happening" and went to investigate, the document states.
"They discovered (Cuch) in the house with the dog. There was a metal bat and a broken wooden bat — believed to be broken by (Cuch) while beating the dog — on the floor," court records state. "There was blood and feces on the floor."
Cuch told the witnesses the animal bit his arm, according to court records. However, when Cuch showed the witnesses his arm, there wasn't a bite mark, investigators said. Deputies tried to speak with Cuch, but he refused to answer the door.
The dog had been taken out of the house by the witnesses before deputies arrived. A veterinarian diagnosed the animal with "multiple lacerations, severe swelling and trauma to the head, a broken front leg, a broken shoulder (and) possible nerve damage," court records show.
Cuch's mother released the dog to the Uintah Animal Control and Shelter District immediately after the attack and it was almost immediately adopted, shelter officials said.
Court records show Cuch, who also uses the name Monte Esparza, has prior convictions for sexual battery, lewdness and violation of a protective order.
He faces a maximum possible sentence of up to a year in jail on the aggravated animal cruelty charge when he is sentenced Oct. 27.
(KSL.com - Sep 18, 2015)
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