A Baltimore police officer accused of beating and choking his girlfriend's puppy and texting her a photo of the dog's body pleaded guilty Wednesday.
Alec Eugene Taylor, 28, of Hyattsville, faces up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine on one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 8.
Police say Taylor's girlfriend at the time, Deborah Avila, reported that he had killed Rocko, a 7-month-old Jack Russell terrier, Feb. 26.
State's evidence against Taylor included text messages he sent to his girlfriend.
"I almost killed rocko," Taylor wrote.
He explained in another text that the dog relieved himself on the carpet after being let outside.
"Smh. Ugh I dunno what to do with him anymore," Avila wrote back.
Taylor then texted the picture of Rocko.
"Why is he laying like that," Avila wrote.
"I beat him. I might of paralyzed him."
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When asked if Rocko was able to walk, Taylor replied, "Yea I think he's pretty much dead. Imma throw him out now."
Avila asked him if it was a sick joke. When she went home, she found Rocko's body in a shoebox on the balcony. She buried Rocko in a shallow grave and notified police.
Taylor told police he choked the dog. The cause of death is listed as blunt force trauma.
Taylor had been suspended without pay from the police department, the Associated Press reported.
Taylor's lawyer said his client was under a lot of pressure and took his frustrations out on the dog.
"This does not just involve these criminal charges but the breakup of a relationship that meant quite a lot to him," Taylor's lawyer said.
Taylor is free on bond until sentencing, but the judge told him he should get his things in order, indicating Taylor may serve time in jail, News4's Chris Gordon reported.
