PLATTSBURGH -- A local teen has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and was ordered to give up his puppy, which will likely be adopted by one of his rescuers.

"Hero," the puppy, was the victim of a violent beating at the hands of his owner, Bryant Morel, and is now looking for a new home, one he will likely find with one of the men who rescued him from the early April attack.

"He's been great. He's a good pup," Elmore SPCA Assistant Shelter Manager Tina Neyer said Wednesday afternoon.

Neyer said the 6-month-old shepard mix has adjusted well since the beating at Melissa L. Penfield Park, where Morel swung him in the air by the collar and repeatedly punched him in the face.

After his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, the 18-year-old dog owner told authorities he hit the puppy because it was not listening.

At the time of the beating, a group of softball players heard the puppy yelping and went to its aid.

According to Plattsburgh City Court documents, the bystanders tried to reason with Morel, who walked away from the confrontation saying "he would do what he wanted with his dog."

As City Police were being called to the area, Morel allegedly spit on one of the men and started swinging the puppy by its hind leg.

To stop the abuse, one of the men grabbed Morel in a headlock and held him to the ground until police arrived.

Later that night, Morel was placed behind bars, where he remained for nearly two weeks, unable to post $500 cash bail.

He returned to City Court earlier this week and pleaded guilty to the original cruelty charge.

He is due back in court Aug. 8 for sentencing.

Neyer said one of Hero's rescuers has shown an interest in the puppy and has visited him at the shelter several times.

She said he inquired about adopting the dog, who has been the focus of widespread community interest, and will likely be able to bring him home soon.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com