Sloane pleads guilty in animal cruelty case

She will be on probation for five years under the plea agreement and must resign as Washington County controller.

Washington County Controller April Sloane pleaded guilty Thursday to felony aggravated cruelty to animals after the starvation death of her dog last year.

According to District Attorney Jason Walsh, Sloane’s attorney brought a plea offer in which she will serve five years of probation and must resign from her controller position by Sept. 30. “We all wanted obviously justice for the crime that occurred and a felony charge is a very serious charge,” Walsh said. “Obviously she’s resigning her office. It’s a win for the humane society and abused animals.”

In December, Sloane was charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and a misdemeanor charge of animal neglect. Police alleged that she neglected her dog Thor, who passed due to severe emaciation.

On July 10, Sloane was taken to Allegheny County Jail and her bail was set at $150,000.

Walsh added that during her probation she cannot own any pets or be around any animals. He also added that mental health treatment is part of her sentencing.

After five years of probation are over, Walsh said there is nothing stopping her from owning a pet after that.

“I don’t have any jurisdiction to prevent her from having a pet after that time,” Walsh said. “I don’t know. I don’t know who would let her adopt publicly or anything.”

According to Walsh, Sloane had a trial scheduled for Tuesday before the plea agreement was reached.