Man Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty Charges, Fined $300

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The owner of a dog that was found with a rope embedded in its neck pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges this week.

John Wolford's German Shepherd was found on a woman's deck in Richland Township back in April. The dog had a bloody jump rope, tied in a knot, embedded in its neck. At the time, a veterinarian said the rope may have been wrapped around the dog's neck for months.

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The rope was embedded so deeply it required a six-hour surgery to remove it. The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society says the cost of the surgery and other veterinary services were close to $3,000.

Wolford was fined just $300 and is not required to pay back the cost of the services.

Meanwhile, the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society says they are supporting the "Angel's Law" bill proposed by Pa. State Rep. Dom Costa, which would increase animal cruelty charges from a citation to a criminal offense.