Plea changed in stabbing of dog

A Toledo man accused of stabbing his dog with a knife six times withdrew his not-guilty plea Thursday and entered a plea of no contest.

Toledo Municipal Court Judge Francis Gorman scheduled sentencing for March 23.

David Riling, Jr., 31, of East Lake Street was charged with one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor, on Oct. 11 after police said he stabbed the dog because the "pit bull" bit his hand.

The dog was destroyed by the Lucas County Dog Warden's Office because of its injuries and aggressiveness.

Mr. Riling told police he was eating dinner when the dog tried to take his food.

He pushed the dog away and it bit him, the police report states.

Mr. Riling called police about 11 p.m. and said the dog bit him so he was going to kill it, reports indicate.

Attorney John C. Stewart of Lambertville, who is representing Mr. Riling, said he considered asking for the case to be transferred to a different judge because it is well known that Judge Gorman is a dog lover and often takes his dog to chambers.

Mr. Riling could face six months in jail for the first-degree misdemeanor charge but Mr. Stewart said he hopes for leniency because his client has had no other animal-related charges.

"The report paints him in an unfavorable light, but this was really out of character for him," Mr. Stewart said.

He said he is hoping for probation and community service, perhaps at the Toledo Area Humane Society or another animal shelter.