web1_PonnuruR.jpg

Their view: No, Joe Biden is not too rosy-eyed about America

web1_WBS-Penguins-Logo.jpg

Penguins, Arena Authority agree on 10-year contract extension

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Hazleton man has the opportunity to have his criminal record expunged if he successfully completes a rehabilitative program on charges he intentionally starved a dog that had to be put down.</p><p>Cody Stewart, 21, was sentenced Monday by Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough to 12 months in the county&#8217;s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, a special probationary sentence, after he pleaded guilty to his role in the death of a two-year-old pit bull named Capone.</p><p>Stewart&#8217;s ex-girlfriend, Madiela Flores, 21, of Hazleton, was sentenced by Vough in April to six months probation.</p><p>Stewart and Flores were charged by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals of Luzerne County in June 2018 after the dog was euthanized due to its condition.</p><p>According to court records, Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital in Plains Township contacted a SPCA humane officer on March 17, 2018, when they received the dog that was severely emaciated and suffering from life threatening anemia.</p><p>The dog had chewed and ingested a part of its own body, court records say.</p><p>The animal hospital decided to euthanize the dog.</p><p>A necropsy, an animal autopsy, showed the dog was dehydrated and its intestines were empty of any food. A plastic type material was found in the dog&#8217;s stomach, court records say.</p><p>An investigation by a humane officer showed Stewart and Flores owned the dog since it was a puppy.</p><p>Flores claimed that she and Stewart were aware the dog was in poor condition for some time but neither took the dog to a veterinarian.</p><p>Vough advised Stewart if he does not successfully complete the ARD program, prosecutors have the choice to bring him to trial. If Stewart completes the rehabilitation program, he can file a petition to have his record erased.</p><p>Stewart was also sentenced to perform 30 hours of community service and not own any animals for one year.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_Animal-Cruelty-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_Animal-Cruelty-1.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Hazleton man sentenced for starving pit bull that ate part of itself