Bethany Bruner

Reporter

NEWARK – A 19-year-old man told a judge Thursday that he was guilty of mutilating a dog to the point that only part of its body has been found.

Harley Paynter, of Newark, entered guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of cruelty against animals, underage consumption and drug abuse Thursday in Licking County Municipal Court.

Paynter mutilated a pug on the 400 block of Ballard Avenue early Wednesday. Only portions of the dog have been found.

According to court records, Visiting Judge Larry Arnold set bond at $50,000 and ordered sentencing be postponed 30 days for a pre-sentence investigation report to be completed.

Cruelty to animals, the most severe of the charges, is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

"I just wish I wouldn't have done it, that's all I can say," Paynter said in court. "I was blacked-out drunk when it happened. I don't remember even doing it until after it had already happened. I woke up outside."

Paynter said he has been living in Ohio since October 2013 and was staying with a friend at the Ballard Avenue address.

Paynter has previous convictions in Illinois, prosecutors said in court.

Paynter did not have an attorney in court and said he was ready to face the repercussions for his actions. No sentencing date had been scheduled as of Thursday evening.