WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Bruceville-Eddy man who neglected a dog that officials found filthy, emaciated and tethered by a 2-foot wire to a tire pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony animal cruelty charge.

McLennan County prosecutors recommended that William Lee Harris, 21, be placed on deferred probation for seven years and fined $1,000 in exchange for his guilty plea.

Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman, filling in for the absent 54th State District Judge Susan Kelly, accepted Harris' guilty plea and ordered probation officers to conduct a background investigation on Harris before punishment will be determined.