One of two men charged with killing an ostrich after breaking into a ranch south of Half Moon Bay pleaded no contest Thursday to felony animal cruelty and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jonathon Porter, 20, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, but changed his mind and pleaded guilty to both charges, according to San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

The district attorney's office had sought up to 16 months in state prison for Porter. However, Porter pleaded guilty today on the condition he would avoid state prison. Instead, he faces up to a year in the county jail when he is sentenced March 29.

Porter and co-defendant Timothy McKevitt allegedly were drinking Halloween night when they trespassed onto the ranch in order to look at the ostriches there, according to the district attorney's office.

When a surprised ostrich attacked and injured the men, they ran off, later returning with a rifle and a shotgun and allegedly shooting and killing the ostrich, according to the district attorney's office.

The owner of the ranch was able to track down the men and reported the crimes to authorities.

The men were later taken into custody by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Peninsula Humane Society President Scott Delucci praised local law enforcement and prosecutors for taking the crime seriously.

"For someone to take a life, it's a serious matter. Sometimes people say 'it's only an animal.' But so many studies have shown that someone who mistreats an animal is so much more likely to act violently against another person," Delucci said.

At their initial arraignment, McKevitt and Porter pleaded not guilty to the crimes.

Porter, who was on probation for grand theft, has remained in jail since his arrest. McKevitt was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bail bond. On Thursday, his preliminary hearing was postponed until Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.