Former Cornell student Alexander Atkind has pleaded guilty in Tompkins County Court to felony animal abuse. He awaits a sentencing hearing scheduled for Oct. 15.

According to published reports, Atkind, 23, of Lexington, Mass., entered the guilty plea Sept. 17 in connection with incidents that occurred on or about March 8. Court documents indicated Atkind had beaten and poured bleach on a Labrador-pit bull mix belonging to his roommate while the dog was in Atkind's care.

The injuries left the dog with permanent diminished eyesight, according to reports.

Atkind was indicted on the felony aggravated cruelty to animals charge in May after originally being charged with a lesser offense related to injuring animals.

While Atkind's charge carries a county jail term of up to two years, District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson has stated she is recommending six months of local incarceration, five years' probation, a $5,000 fine and mandatory psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Atkind also would not be allowed to own, care for or reside in a home with pets, and would be subject to a stay-away order of protection from the harmed dog and its owners, according to Wilkinson.

Atkind is currently serving a sentence in Tioga County Jail on a drug possession charge, relating to a March 17 incident in which he was found to have hallucinogenic mushrooms. Wilkinson said she is recommending that his Tompkins County jail sentence be served consecutively following his release from Tioga County.