Man to spend 2 years on probation for hurting mother's miniature dachshund in York County
A man will spend two years on probation for hurting his mother’s miniature dachshund and leaving the dog with injuries including several broken ribs as well as a collapsed lung.
Travis Mitzel, 30, of Conewago Township, pleaded guilty on Thursday to cruelty to animals. The York County District Attorney’s Office dropped a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder accepted the plea agreement after Mitzel agreed to not own or have any contact with animals while he's on probation.
“We do the same for human victims,” Snyder said. “Why would we not do that for animals?”
Read:York County sees increase in cases involving charges of animal cruelty and neglect in 2020
Michael Marinaro, Mitzel’s attorney, stated that his client agreed to those terms.
Marinaro reported that the dog — its name and age are not listed in court documents — survived.
“The dog was treated and back to normal at this time,” said Marinaro, who added that Mitzel underwent a psychological evaluation.
Check out:York County man pleads no contest to animal cruelty for drunkenly shooting dog in the face
On Feb. 27, 2021, Northern York County Regional police were called to a home on Butter Road near Daugherty Road in Conewago Township for a report of animal cruelty.
Mitzel denied any wrongdoing. Instead, police said, he told investigators that he believed someone could’ve come in the house and beat the dog.
Also of interest:York County man who beat dog with baton pleads guilty to aggravated animal cruelty
Dylan Segelbaum is the courthouse reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact him at dsegelbaum@ydr.com, by phone at 717-916-3981 or on Twitter @dylan_segelbaum.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Animal cruelty: Probation for York County man who hurt mother's dog
