A retired Kalispell doctor accused of abandoning 12 puppies at a dump site in Somers has pleaded no contest to felony aggravated cruelty to animals.
John L. Heine initially denied the charge, but changed his plea last week in Flathead County District Court. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and will recommend the 75-year-old Heine receive a probationary sentence.
The puppies, only two of which survived, were found Aug. 21 in a garbage bag at a dump site. Heine, a retired obstetrician who breeds dogs, has said he tried to drown the puppies because they were an unwanted litter and he feared they might contract parvovirus after two puppies he had shipped from Texas died from the disease.
“I don’t doubt for a minute that he regrets what he did and regrets the embarrassment and anguish it probably has caused him and his family,” Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan said.
Heine, who testified briefly at the hearing, did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment. His sentencing has been scheduled for July 2.