The Pennsylvania State Police made an arrest in the case of a German Shepherd who was found abandoned on the night of Friday, February 3, 2023, in freezing temperatures.
The dog was found in a crate behind Hobby Lobby on 1901 E. Third Street in Loyalsock Township.
Police in Montoursville responded to the area after being alerted to the situation and found the Voiceless Victim locked inside the crate, malnourished, and lying in feces. On top of the crate were a blanket and a bag of dog food. Troopers took the furbaby to the Lycoming County SPCA shelter and given the condition the dog was in, police investigated this as a case of animal cruelty. Authorities then reached out to the public for information on the dog’s guardian.
On Saturday, February 4, the Lycoming County SPCA wrote in a Facebook post, “As this is a pending investigation case, this animal is legally not ours and, therefore, cannot be listed for adoption until the case is finished and only if the shelter is awarded custody.”
PennLive reports that a spokesperson for the Lycoming County SPCA said that due to the dog being frightened when he/she was brought to the shelter, it has not been possible to examine his/her teeth to determine his/her age.
Authorities arrested 24-years-old MIRANDA NICOLE WALDMAN (pictured – via Facebook), of Williamsport. According to a press release by the Pennsylvania State Police and obtained by Voice For Us, a “Non-Custodial interview was conducted with WALDMAN at PSP Montoursville, where she confessed to being the owner of the dog and leaving it at the location of this incident.”
Given the dog’s overall condition and the fact he/she was left outside in frigid temperatures, troopers say WALDMAN will face animal cruelty charges.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
The Dallas Zoo said in a Facebook post that on the morning of Monday, January 30, 2023, the zoo alerted the Dallas Police Department after the animal care team discovered two of their Emperor Tamarin monkeys, named Bella and Finn, were missing. “It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised,” said the zoo. The zoo explained that staff searched near their habitat and across zoo grounds as Emperor Tamarin monkeys “would likely stay close to home.”
The Dallas Morning News reports that when police responded, “they found the metal mesh that made up most of the enclosure’s door was ‘cut and bent in a manner and size for a person to both reach into and/or gain access to’ the enclosure.”
After the zoo provided police with footage from surveillance cameras, the Dallas Police Department posted on their Facebook page the picture of the male suspected to have stolen Bella and Finn and reached out to the community for help.
The zoo even announced that they increased the reward to $25,000 for information leading to a conviction of the individual responsible.
In an update Dallas Police advised that with the help of the Lancaster Police Department, Bella and Finn were found on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in the closet of an abandoned home in the 2500 block of Gerry Wat Street in Lancaster, just south of Wintergreen Road, and about 20 minutes from the Dallas Zoo.
According to The Dallas Morning News, in addition to Bella and Finn, police also found multiple cats and pigeons.
The Dallas Zoo posted on Facebook they were “thrilled beyond belief” that Bella and Finn were found and that a team went to pick them up. Part of a subsequent post read: “Emperor tamarin monkeys, Bella and Finn, were so happy to snuggle into their nest sack here at the Zoo last night! Our veterinary and animal care teams have said, beyond losing a bit of weight, they show no signs of injury and both started eating and drinking almost immediately once the team completed health exams on Tuesday night. We will continue to monitor them closely, but for now, we're so glad they are safe and back with us. They will not return to the habitat in the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo for a little while still - because they were taken off-grounds, they will need to clear a quarantine period before they are reintroduced to their Zoo habitat.”
On Thursday, February 2, 2023, an employee at the Dallas World Aquarium tipped Dallas Police that the individual from the photo released by the Department, was there. Police responded and spotted 24-years-old DAVION DWIGHT IRVIN (pictured), boarding a Dallas Area Rapid Transit train before he was taken into custody.
Dallas police spokesperson Kristin Lowman said that IRVIN was going to commit another crime when he was seen at the aquarium.
In connection with the theft of Bella and Finn, IRVIN faces six charges of animal cruelty and a count of burglary.
However, IRVIN is also facing charges in connection with a string of accidents that took place at the Dallas Zoo, such as the disappearance of a Clouded Leopard named Nova on January 13, 2023, who was found hours later. Police said her enclosure had been intentionally cut.
But that’s not all. In fact, zoo staff officials later discovered torn enclosures for Langur Monkeys, who were still in their habitat, and then the unusual death of an endangered vulture named Pin.
Nine days after Pin’s death, Bella and Finn were taken.
Ms. Lowman said the investigation into Pin’s death is ongoing.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury sentenced 34-years-old JAMES ROBERT STANDRIDGE (pictured) to the statutory maximum of fourteen (14) years for two counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.
Additionally, Judge Salisbury imposed an aggravated minimum sentence on both counts, meaning that STANDRIDGE won’t be eligible for parole until he serves thirty (30) months in state prison.
In January 2023, STANDRIDGE tied his dog Luna to a tree, shot her multiple times, and left her to die.
Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse said that before Judge Salisbury handed down the sentence, he told STANDRIDGE: “In 10 years as judge, I have never sentenced a defendant in the aggravated range (of the PA Sentencing Guidelines), but that will change today. You didn’t show ‘Lucky’ any mercy, and likewise, this Court will not show you mercy now.”
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, JAMES ROBERT STANDRIDGE (pictured) appeared before Judge Michael F. Salisbury in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. STANDRIDGE entered guilty pleas to one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals by Torture, and one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals by Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury or Death, both felonies.
Crime Watch reports that Judge Salisbury asked STANDRIDGE to recount the facts that ultimately led to his criminal charges. STANDRIDGE told the Court that he had tied a dog named Luna to a tree and shot her two times. STANDRIDGE went on to say that he believed Luna was dead and left quickly because he saw a car coming. STANDRIDGE claimed Luna had attacked his older dog in his home in front of his children so he decided to shoot her.
At the pleas hearing, Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse “informed the Court that the Commonwealth would be seeking restitution for vet bills and other services provided by the Clinton County SPCA for Luna”, stated the press release by Crime Watch.
STANDRIDGE balked at the request for restitution, claiming that the SPCA had raised “more than $10,000” in fundraising following the news about Luna posted on social media. Judge Salisbury advised STANDRIDGE that he could dispute the restitution amount at his sentencing, and the Court would decide that issue at a later date.
Judge Salisbury ordered a pre-sentence investigation and social history report to be completed by the Clinton County Adult Probation Department prior to sentencing which was scheduled for June 2023. That report is expected to provide more information about STANDRIDGE and the circumstances of the crimes.
When Luna was placed in the care of the Clinton County S.P.C.A., staff aptly renamed her Lucky.
A few hours ago through a Facebook post, the Clinton County S.P.C.A announced that this sweet furbaby has just been adopted and her new family has renamed her Bunni.
Part of the post read: “The once 4 legged helpless girl who was tied to a tree in a wooded area with her own leash. Shot at 3 times, with two bullets striking her and one still remaining in her. She freed her own self from her collar, made it about 35 feet, and nestled down, where she laid for 6 days, in freezing temperatures, snow storms, no one seeing her until someone did and made the call to us, is NOW A VIBRANT 3 legged incredible dog. Still so forgiving of humans who once failed her! Taught so much love and patience during all of this process, FINALLY FINALLY has a home to call HERS! She has an incredible couple who I just know is going to spoil and love her endlessly! She deserves just that.”
The Pine Creek Township Police Department made an arrest in the case of a dog found shot in Clinton County.
Police recounted the heartbreaking facts in a news release and said that on January 27, 2023, Clinton County S.P.C.A. received a call from a motorist who was “traveling on Pine Mountain Road in the 1700 block, when the driver noticed a dog lying under some laurel bushes by the road in the area of a pull off.”
Officials with the Clinton County S.P.C.A. responded to the scene and found a brindle-colored female Pitbull terrier who was injured with visible open wounds. At first, officials thought the dog had been hit by a car but the findings on the scene revealed a different scenario.
S.P.C.A. agents in fact, found a pink dog leash tied to a tree close to where the dog was laying. A further inspection of the area made it apparent the dog had been tied to the leash and eventually got out of it. Additionally, officials found three bullet casings.
The VOICELESS VICTIM was taken to RoseBird Veterinary Center in Jersey Shore where X-rays revealed the presence of two bullets lodged in the body of the dog. Only one of the two bullets could be removed. The furbaby suffered “a shattered humerus bone and has undergone surgery and continues to be hospitalized,” stated the release.
On January 31, 2023, the Shelter Manager of the Clinton County SPCA contacted the Pine Creek Township Police Department and informed them of the situation.
Once the S.P.C.A. posted pictures of the dog asking the community if someone knew who her guardian was, calls started coming in with that information.
This was then passed on to the Pine Creek Township Police Department and officers made contact with 34-years-old JAMES ROBERT STANDRIDGE (pictured), of Jersey Shore. STANDRIDGE was asked to go to the station for an interview during which he admitted that the dog, named Luna, was his.
According to the release, STANDRIDGE stated that on January 21, 2023, he took Luna to the location where she was found, tied her to the tree, and fired three shots at her. STANDRIDGE added he thought Luna was dead.
STANDRIDGE was arrested on February 2, 2023, on two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals (Felony 3), one count of cruelty to animals (Misdemeanor 2), and three counts of neglect of an animal (Misdemeanor 3).
On the same day, this lowlife was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Keith G. Kibler and bail was set at $50,000.
Meanwhile, Luna, now aptly renamed Lucky, is in the amazing care of the Clinton County S.P.C.A. and the nonprofit posted an update on her condition.
Part of their Facebook post reads: “Her humerus is shattered. Her foot covered in maggots at the entry wound of one shot. It’s heart wrenching to even type it. She will [undergo] a repair of the shattered bones by pinning them, to try to prevent amputation when she is healthy enough to do so. She will face an extensive amount of recovery and therapy. She is the most gentle, sweetest dog.”
As you can imagine, Lucky’s medical care won’t be cheap and the Clinton County S.P.C.A. needs help. Please, click here if you wish and can afford to contribute. Thank you!
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
