Pittsburgh-Area Elected Official Guilty In Animal Cruelty Case

WASHINGTON, PA — Washington County Controller April Sloane has pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty in connection with the death of her dog last year, although she will not receive any jail time.

However, Sloane must resign her position by Sept. 30, according to the Observer-Reporter of Washington. She also will be on probation for five years, during which time she is forbidden to own a pet.

Sloane, 43, was arrested in December and charged in the death of her dog, Thor. The canine died of severe emaciation and weighed only 20 pounds when it perished, less than half of what its weight should have been.

Police said they found the dog's body wrapped in a garbage bag placed in the basement garage of Sloan's home. Police searched the house after receiving an anonymous tip.

Sloane's term does not expire until next year, so the county's deputy controller will serve as the interim head of the county's fiscal watchdog office.

Washington County Controller April Sloane pleaded guilty to felony
animal cruelty in the starvation death of her pet dog last year and must
resign from office at the end of the month, although she will avoid any
jail time as part of the plea deal.