BILLINGS — Michael James Bigelow of Billings, charged last month with several felonies related to the abuse and killing of numerous dogs, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges.
The 34-year-old man was initially charged last month with four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and nine misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
After hearing prosecutors describe the case as "egregious" at a March 11 arraignment hearing, Bigelow was ordered held in the Yellowstone County jail on $125,000 bond.
Bigelow was arrested on March 3 after an investigation was initiated by a Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officer who received a complaint of several large dogs harassing horses on property off of Bender Road.
Authorities said they found numerous dogs dead from being shot, and others chained and in poor health.
Bigelow changed his plea Thursday in Yellowstone County District Court, admitting guilt to 11 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
Bigelow was sentenced to one year in prison with all time suspended.
TRENDING ARTICLES
- Would you adopt a deaf dog?
- Davis removed as Blackfeet chairman
- GF: big spike in overdoses and deaths
- Scheduled burns in Cascade County
- Human remains found in Great Falls
