An Erie man has pleaded guilty in a high-profile animal cruelty case involving Aimee the Husky.
Scott Bayle Jr. entered a guilty plea to aggravated cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, in Erie County Court on Monday.
Court documents state Bayle failed to provide proper food and veterinary care for Aimee and kept the husky confined in a cage under unsanitary conditions for an extended period at a home on Wallace Street in Erie.
Authorities said the dog suffered severe neglect, including urine burns and fecal matter matted in her fur. Investigators also alleged Aimee was left exposed to freezing temperatures, resulting in injuries that required emergency medical treatment.
Bayle faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Bayle and Tori Jackna were charged in connection with the 2026 death of Aimee. The husky was rescued after being found frostbitten and suffering from significant neglect but later died due to the severity of her injuries.
The case drew widespread attention from animal welfare advocates across the region.
In response to the case, the Pennsylvania Senate passed “Aimee’s Law,” legislation introduced by State Senator Dan Laughlin that would create a statewide animal abuse registry to track individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses. The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.
Sentencing for Bayle will be scheduled at a later date.