EUCLID — Dorothy Richardson, 75, of Waynoka Road, was charged with cruelty to animals after three neighbors told police that she beat a baby deer to death with a shovel.

• Updated version of story.

The neighbors, including Euclid Councilman Christopher Gruber, said Richardson told them she beat the fawn in the head June 15 because it was sitting in her flower bed, according to Law Director Chris Frey said.

Richardson could not be reached at home this morning to comment on the charge.

The city's cruelty charge is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Frey said today that he plans to add a state cruelty charge, which is a second-degree misdemeanor, to give the judge more sentencing options, considering Richardson's age. The state charge is punishable by a maximum 90 days in jail and $750 fine.

Frey said he has received dozens of e-mails from across the country urging him to prosecute the case to its fullest.

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.