Maryland man pleads guilty to tossing Chihuahua off bridge, could face prison time

Md. man pleads guilty to throwing dog off bridge

FREDERICK, Md. — A Maryland man who threw a Chihuahua off a bridge has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and could face prison time.

Thirty-five-year-old David Beers told investigators he got angry after he pulled into the dog owners’ driveway to make a cell phone call and was ordered off the property. Beers returned when the dog owners were gone and grabbed Zoey, the Chihuahua.

Beers pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and theft under $500. He faces up to 4 1/2 years in prison and $5,500 in fines at his sentencing June 7.

Police say Beers threw the 4-pound dog off a Catoctin Creek bridge as he drove home. The dog was never found.

Zoey’s owner, Caisha (KAH’-shah) Wantz, says losing Zoey was like losing a child.