McHenry man accused of beating poodle pleads guilty to animal cruelty

A McHenry man faces as many as three years in prison for beating and injuring a poodle that he told police bit a young girl.

A small dog suffered broken ribs and bruised lungs after 22-year-old Elijah Washington allegedly beat the house pet with his fists, a leash and a plastic back scratcher, charging documents show.

Washington entered a blind guilty plea Thursday to a felony charge of animal cruelty. McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt is expected to hand down a sentence on Sept. 19.

The charge stems from an Aug. 20 call for a well-being check on Washington and a young girl in the 4200 block of Savoy Lane, McHenry.

Washington also told others at the home he shouldn’t have been left alone with the dog and that he would hurt the animal if it bit anyone, prosecutors have said.

When police arrived, Washington claimed the toy poodle mix had bitten a young female relative. Neither Washington nor the girl was injured aside from a red mark on the girl's hand where the dog reportedly bit her, prosecutors said, adding the alleged bite did not draw blood.

Washington has been free on bond since November. He's required to undergo a psychological evaluation before his sentencing hearing.