MARQUETTE, MI— A Marquette County couple charged with animal cruelty and abandonment have entered into a plea agreement.
Susan and Kenneth Barterian of Republic Township were arrested downstate in December after each was charged with a felony count of animal abandonment and cruelty-four to ten animals.
Because the Barterians surrendered the animals to UPAWS, the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office offered a plea deal. The felony charges would be reduced to misdemeanor animal abandonment and cruelty, punishable by up to a year in jail.
Both Barterians pleaded guilty to the new charges Tuesday.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
