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Mother sentenced to prison for endangering toddler found hanging out window

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NEPA sports teams approach state quarterfinals with tunnel vision

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A woman who lived in Ashley Trailer Park could have faced up to seven years in prison if convicted of intentionally starving to death a pit bull named Tank.</p><p>But a plea deal put Brittany Perri, 22, on probation.</p><p>The dog was found dead inside a cage mixed with garbage and dirt on Feb. 25 outside a trailer home on Donato Drive where Perri lived.</p><p>She moved out of the trailer before Christmas 2017.</p><p>&#8220;This dog died a horrible death,&#8221; Humane Society Police Officer Wayne Harvey said Friday in Luzerne County Court.</p><p>A necropsy revealed Tank had no muscle mass and body fat, its bone marrow had atrophied, and no food was found in its stomach and intestines, according to court records.</p><p>Pennsylvania&#8217;s animal cruelty laws were strengthened in August 2017 when Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation that increased penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty. A section of the law included aggravated cruelty, a felony, that is punishable by up to seven years behind bars.</p><p>Perri was initially charged June 18 with two felonies of aggravated cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor count of neglect of animals and a summary offense of neglect.</p><p>Her attorney, Thomas Cometa, worked out a plea deal with prosecutors Oct. 22 that resulted in the two felony charges being withdrawn. That prevented Perri from being sent to state prison.</p><p>Under the deal, she admitted to a misdemeanor neglect charge.</p><p>Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough sentenced her to one year of probation and prohibited her from owning any pets. She must also perform 100 hours of community service. </p><p>A request to have Perri serve her community service at the Luzerne County SPCA was quickly rejected as Officer Harvey said anyone convicted of animal cruelty is prohibited from working at the animal shelter.</p><p>Perri said she couldn&#8217;t afford to feed Tank as she cared for her children.</p><p>Perri&#8217;s former boyfriend who lived with with her at the trailer in Ashley was not charged.</p><p>Harvey said Perri&#8217;s ex-boyfriend moved out of the trailer sometime during the summer of 2017, leaving Perri solely responsible for the dog.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Former Ashley woman sentenced for dog’s starvation death