Botched dog euthanasia in creek leads to guilty plea



less Tomo McLoyd holds the paw of her dog Rocky, 14, as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanizes the pet at their apartment on May 9, 2012 in New York City. McLoyd had made the difficult decision to call McCulloch to perform the procedure after the pet could no longer walk. End of life issues have become increasingly important for pet owners, as advanced medical treatments and improved nutrition are extending pets lives well into old age. McCulloch runs Pet Requiem, a home veterinary service designed to provide geriatric care and in-home euthanasia for dying pets in the New York and New Jersey area. Many pet owners are choosing such in-home care to try and provide a humane and compassionate "good death" for their beloved pets. Tomo McLoyd holds the paw of her dog Rocky, 14, as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanizes the pet at their apartment on May 9, 2012 in New York City. McLoyd had made the difficult decision to call McCulloch to ... more Photo: John Moore, Getty Images Photo: John Moore, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Botched dog euthanasia in creek leads to guilty plea 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Santa Rosa man pleaded guilty to a felony animal cruelty charge after a failed attempt to euthanize his dog left the 12-year-old black Labrador retriever bleeding in a creek with its legs and mouth bound, prosecutors said.

In March, a passerby heard the cries of the dog, named Shadow, from the Santa Rosa Creek trail near Petaluma Hill Road, but the dog couldn’t be found. A call was placed to animal control and officers from the agency found Shadow in 8 inches of water with its legs and muzzle bound, bleeding from three large neck wounds, prosecutors said.

The dog was rushed to Redwood Veterinary Clinic but died from an unrelated medical condition about a week later, prosecutors said.

Investigators found an identification chip in the dog and contacted its owner, Ramiro Ramirez, 34. Initially, Ramirez told police that the animal had died the previous year, but when confronted with contradictory evidence, he admitted to the incident, prosecutors said.

He told investigators that he had brought Shadow to the creek with the intent of euthanizing the dog, but after the third cut to the animal’s throat he became overwhelmed by emotion and left the animal by the creek to die, prosecutors said.

“Animal abuse and cruelty cases will continue to be aggressively prosecuted by this office,” Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said in a statement. “We will not stand by and allow any animal, regardless of age or condition, to be mistreated or abused.”

Brian Whipple, interim director of Sonoma County Animal Services, said his department can provide advice to people considering euthanasia for an aging animal and will evaluate animals for a nominal fee, usually less than $50.

Ramirez could face a maximum of 200 days in jail and a fine of up to $20,000 when he is sentenced Dec. 22.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale