STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – An 18-year-old woman was in court Wednesday to answer allegations that she starved two dogs in Sterling Heights.
Lisa Marie Precourt pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty charges after a pit bull in her care, named Angel, starved to death.
Another dog in Precourt's care named Shiner is recovering after being found badly emaciated.
"I did not provide them with food like they needed," said Precourt in court.
The dogs were given to the rescue group Detroit Bully Corps.
The group was unable to save Angel who died in November.
"It was very upsetting. I've been in rescue over five years and never seen a case like this," said Missi Bellottie of Detroit Bully Corps.
Precourt says she was living alone at the time, going to school and working two jobs. She now says she never should have had the dogs.
"I was told to seek out help. I couldn't do it on my own. It's alot at 18. I was afraid of giving them up because they were all I had," said Precourt.
Precourt says she feared the dogs would be put down if she gave them up. Her explanation puzzled the judge and the rescue group in court.
"This was a long drawn out process. It didn't just happen over a couple of weeks," said Bill Bellottie.
Prosecutors are recommending Precourt do community service at the Detroit Bully Corps facility in Ann Arbor, where her dog died from malnourishment.
"I would feel as if it would teach me something and give back to the community and show them that I can better myself, " said Precourt.
Meanwhile, the other dog Shiner has made a full recovery.
Detroit Bully Corps says he went from 33 pounds to 50 pounds.
The group is not ready to put him up for adoption just yet.
In a statement, the organization said Michigan has some of the toughest animal abuse laws in the country, but getting cities to enforce them on the local level has been a challenge.