NEW PHILADELPHIA Two Somerdale women have been found guilty of animal cruelty in a case that involved a cat and nine dogs, including a Chihuahua its owners hid in an oven.
Jessica Wentling and Ashley Kedigh, of 5981 state Route 212, were each found guilty of two charges of animal cruelty and one charge of obstruction of official business by New Philadelphia Municipal Judge Nanette DeGarmo VonAllman. The defendants entered no-contest pleas to all charges in court on Tuesday.
The case started when the Tuscarawas County Humane Society received a tip Nov. 6 about living conditions at the home. On Nov. 13, Humane Officer Jimmy Hitchcock visited the site with three representatives of the humane society, three sheriff s deputies and a social worker from Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services.