EVERETT — A former Granite Falls man pleaded guilty Tuesday to six counts of first-degree animal cruelty.
Michael Cowling, 36, admitted that his criminal negligence caused the death of six cats. As part of the plea paperwork, Cowling said he didn’t have money to buy food for the animals.
Granite Falls police on Jan. 21 discovered nearly three dozen dead cats and dogs inside the house Cowling had shared with his mother, Diane Cowling. The house was in foreclosure and the Cowlings had moved out.
Prosecutors charged mother and son with six counts each of animal cruelty, under the theory that the pair’s negligence led to the dehydration and starvation of six cats.
The maximum sentence under the law is a year in jail.
Prosecutors are expected to recommend a six-month term Michael Cowling. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 22.
Diane Cowling, 55, is scheduled for a plea hearing Wednesday.
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