Aurora man accused of animal cruelty could plead guilty
An Aurora man convicted in the 1990s of dragging his dog to death could plead guilty to charges that he broke five of another dog's teeth in late 2010.
Phillip A. Rinn, 43, pleaded not guilty in March to felony animal cruelty charges stemming from a Nov. 15, 2010, arrest, but his attorney filed court papers last week indicating he could change his mind.
“The defendant would like to advance this case to enter a plea on this case,” according to the motion by defense attorney Ned Khan, who could not be reached for comment.
Rinn, of the 300 block of South Kendall Street, was scheduled for a March 26 jury trial before Kane County Judge Timothy Sheldon. He is now due in court Feb. 24, according to court records.
The charge accuses Rinn of hitting Magda, his then 1-year-old Labrador retriever-German shepherd mix, so hard he broke five of the dog's teeth.
If convicted, he would face up to three years in prison, though probation also is an option. He also could be ordered to pay restitution to the county for the dog's subsequent care, which officials estimate to be $2,600.
In 1993, Rinn was found guilty of dragging a chained dog behind his car and killing it. He served 30 days in the county jail and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service.
In the current case, the dog is in a permanent adoptive home and has recovered from its injuries. Another judge has ruled Rinn has no right to get the dog back.
The case initially drew animal rights protesters to the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, but they have thinned out in recent months.
Rinn is free on bond while his case is pending.