Updated at 5:40 p.m.

EUCLID -- The elderly Euclid woman accused of beating a baby deer to death in her garden pleaded not guilty Thursday to two charges of animal abuse.

Dorothy Richardson , 75, did not speak when she appeared before Euclid Municipal Judge Deborah LeBarron. She entered the courtroom with a small entourage, and attorney Scott Ramsey entered the plea on her behalf.

Her minutes-long appearance in court drew a crowd of supporters, detractors and media, including members of Richardson's church and animal-rights activists. Some of Richardson's neighbors, who include Councilman Christopher Gruber, told animal control officers that Richardson admitted beating the fawn to death with a shovel on June 15 when it was on her property near the Cleveland Metroparks' Euclid Creek Reservation. Neighbors said Richardson then put the dead deer out for trash collection and told them: "And I'd do it again."

Richardson has received threatening letters as the case drew media attention, Ramsey said. "I wish someone would beat you with a shovel," said one letter provided by Ramsey.

If found guilty, Richardson could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for the city's animal abuse charge, a first-degree misdemeanor. Law Director Chris Frey also added a state charge punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine to give the judge more sentencing options, given Richardson's advanced age.

Richardson will next appear in court on Aug. 20. She did not comment after the hearing as her attorneys shuffled her out of the courtroom and into a sport utility vehicle parked outside.

Read the statements neighbors gave to police.

Female deer leave their fawns in secluded spots while they forage for food. The fawns avoid being eaten by predators by remaining still until their mothers return. Young fawns are still nursing and do not eat flowers and other foliage, Division of Wildlife spokeswoman Jamey Graham said.