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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #945 Rating: 3.1 out of 5
Thursday, Jan 9, 2003
County: Bradford
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Laura Solock - Dismissed
» Matthew Epright
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
A second person has been charged in connection with an animal cruelty incident that resulted in severe injuries to two dogs. According to information filed in District Justice Michael Shaw's office, Matthew Epright, of 129 S. Keystone Ave. in Sayre, has been charged by the Bradford County Humane Society with four counts of cruelty to animals.
Laura Solock, who also lives at 129 S. Keystone Ave., has also been charged by the Bradford County Humane Society with four counts of cruelty to animals. The report indicated that Solock brought in a Jack Russell female terrier known as Sassafrass to the Colonial Veterinarian Hospital in Ithaca, N.Y. in January.
An examination revealed that the dog was suffering from three broken legs, and a lot of bruising. The dog remained at the facility for several days, and required x-rays, casts, a metal plate and pins in one of the legs.
On Jan. 9, the reported continued, Solock brought her Shih Tzu, a female named Carrera, to the Colonial Veterinarian Hospital after having been referred by the Broadway Animal Hospital. Staff personnel observed that the dog had severe bruising, and a laceration on the top of its head. The Shih Tzu also had a corneal ulcer in the left eye. Solock reportedly informed the clinic that the dog had suffered a seizure.
The attending physician was reportedly told by Solock that the only one home with the Jack Russell on the night of the incident was Epright, her boyfriend, the report stated. The report added that the incident with the Shih Tzu also occurred at night.
Hospital personnel informed the Bradford County Humane Society that the injuries to both of Solock's dogs were consistent with physical abuse, not from accident injuries, according to the report.
On Jan. 23, the report continued, representatives from the Colonial Veterinarian Hospital again contacted the Bradford County Humane Society, saying that the Shih Tzu was once again the facility for treatment of new bruising, as well as a corneal ulcer in the right eye.
Hospital personnel noted that the dog's left eye was not healing.
The Jack Russell terrier was also re-admitted for treatment of a fractured jaw which had been broken in three places, the report said, new bruising, and a newly fractured pelvis. The metal plate placed on the dog's broken leg was bent, hospital personnel said, and the leg was re-injured, according to the report.
Hospital personnel said they asked Solock how the injuries to both dogs occurred, but she said she did not know, the report said.
One of the physicians at the hospital informed the Bradford County Humane Society that - in his professional opinion - the dogs had been intentionally physically abused by someone.
Epright and Solock will both appear before District Justice Shaw for a preliminary hearing on March 26.
Case Updates
Matthew Epright, 22, pleaded guilty last month in county court to two counts of cruelty to animals, which are both first degree misdemeanor charges. He was sentenced to a term of 12 months probation for each incident, with the terms to run consecutively.
Officials in the Bradford County District Attorney's office noted that while on probation, Epright will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing at his expense.
Epright will also pay a fine of $100 on each of the counts for a total fine of $200 as a part of his sentencing. |
| Update posted on Jun 18, 2004 - 2:27PM |
| Laura Solock, who lived Matthew Epright at the time of the incident, had also been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals as a result of this incident, but those charges were later dismissed. |
| Update posted on Jun 18, 2004 - 2:23PM |
References
« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Bradford County, PA