Dog mutilator pleads guilty again

POSTED: 06:42 PM MDT Sep 14, 2012 
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo -

A Mesa County teenager accused of mutilating a dog and hanging its body from a bridge pled guilty again this week.

18-year-old Joseph Nelson initially pled guilty to aggravated cruelty to an animal and criminal mischief back in July, but a judge threw out the plea saying it was too lenient.

Thursday, he pled guilty again to the aggravated cruelty charge, while two other charges were dropped.

He'll be sentenced on this new plea October 5th, and could face time in prison for the disturbing killing and mutilation of his mother's dog.

We'll continue to follow this case and bring you the latest once his sentencing takes place.