news-record.com

GREENSBORO - A 22-year-old woman was sentenced to 18 months probation on Monday for killing her former roommate’s pet maltese last July.

Amanda Todd pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty in Guilford County Superior Court for killing Carrie Stedman’s 4 pound maltese at their Cotswald Avenue apartment July 10.

Todd, who worked as a local dog groomer and holds a similar job now in Connecticut, admitted she threw the dog against a wall when Stedman wasn’t home.

Todd admitted to drinking heavily and using cocaine the night before the killing and her attorney called the incident “a moment in her life she cannot explain.”

Stedman, who was at sentencing said the dog was purchased by her parents and she named it “Little Richard” after her father – Richard Stedman.

The man died in 2006 and Carrie Stedman said the dog helped her through a tough time in her life.

“He carried on my dad’s memory,” Stedman told Todd in a statement before the court.

“How could you do this to something so fragile and unconditionally loving? You knew that story and you knew it well.”

Because Todd had no previous record, by law the maximum sentence she could receive was probation. She also must pay restitution and complete 50 hours of community service.

She faces up to eight months in prison should she not abide by terms of her probation.

“This was an act of violence against something completely defenseless,” Superior Court Judge Andy Cromer told Todd upon sentencing.

“What you do the rest of your life will make up for this… I hope.”

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com