Man accused of beating Dixie the dog takes plea deal

And Alabama man accused of attacking a five pound Chihuahua named Dixie took a plea deal Tuesday.

Arthur Jewell took what is called a best interest plea, meaning he does not admit guilt, but pleads guilty because its in his best interest. In other words, to avoid prison.

"I just want everyone to know I didn't do anything to that little dog. I've never seen him before in my life," argued Jewell.

After that, Jewell pled guilty to animal cruelty charges.

In court Tuesday, Arthur Jewell seemed calmer than he did five days earlier, when he lost his temper after a jury was deadlocked on the animal cruelty charges against him.

When the jury didn't find him not guilty, he blamed his attorneys.

"I can't believe you let it happen," Jewell cried out.

And in the heat of the moment, he said he wanted to fire them.

"Can I fire my attorney and go ahead and fight this," a frustrated Jewell asked the judge.

Jewell has always denied beating the dog.

The Chihuahua lost her left eye and suffered internal injuries during her attack.

But Dixie survived and continues to recover. Her former owner, Donald Upton pointed the finger at Jewell, but Jewell denied it.

Upton admitted under oath there was bad blood between the two. Other than a three-time convicted criminals word, the defense hammered home the state didn't have any evidence against Jewell.

In the end, the jury couldn't agree on a verdict.

So with this deal, Jewell walks out of jail with three years probation.

The jury did find him guilty of resisting arrest without violence and assault, but with time served he walked away a free man.