Share:

Case Snapshot

Case ID: 10325

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

More cases in Westmoreland County, PA

More cases in PA

Login to Watch this Case

Images for this Case

all 1 media files »

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

CONVICTED: Was justice served?

Please vote on whether or not you feel the sentence in this case was appropriate for the crime. (Be sure to read the entire case and sentencing before voting.)

weak sentence = one star
strong sentence = 5 stars

more information on voting

When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.

Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.

• Currently 3.50/5
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Case #10325 Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Dog abandoned, tethered to tree, embedded chain
Grapeville, PA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 12, 2006
County: Westmoreland

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendants/Suspects:
» Eleanor E. Cottrell - Not Charged
» Robert M. Cottrell
» Rodger D. Cottrell - Not Charged

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Charges of animal cruelty and dog license and rabies violations were dropped on Dec 12 against a senior couple and their son.

A judge dismissed the charges because humane agents couldn't prove which one of them was supposed to be caring for a dog that was found tethered to a tree for so long that the chain became embedded in its neck.

Ernie the dog was in bad shape when humane agents got the call that the Grapeville family had been neglecting him. Ernie was tethered to a tree with no collar, just a chain.

Neighbors identified the dog's owners as the Cottrell family.

Surgery costing thousands of dollars was performed on Ernie to remove the chain, and humane agents want the Cottrells to pay for it.

The family refused to testify at the hearing on Monday, so humane agents said they'll be forced to refile the charges against whoever owns the home Ernie was found at.

Dog law claims property owners are responsible for animals on their land.

Humane agents didn't have that information in time for the hearing but said they got it shortly after. The deed in the county tax office said Robert and Eleanor Cottrell are the owners.

Humane agents believe the senior couple moved out months ago and was relying on their son to care for the dog.

But, they'll be the ones to face a judge again.

Ernie is doing much better. His neck is healing and he has a new home.

The Cottrells offered to pay for Ernie's medical expenses if humane agents would agree to drop the charges, but humane agents wouldn't agree.

They expect to refile the charges this month.

Case Updates

References

• WTAE - Dec 12, 2006

« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Westmoreland County, PA

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.