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Point Marion man faces unusual punishment today for strangling his dog

By Angie Santello 3 min read

A Point Marion man will face an unusual penalty today as he stands at a busy intersection to drive home the point that animal cruelty is a crime after he pled guilty to strangling his dog earlier this week. Ulysses Zimmerman of 239 Grant St. will stand at the intersection of McClellandtown Road and Matthew Drive near the Cherry Tree Caf? in South Union Township from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a sign notifying motorists that animal cruelty is a crime.

Zimmerman agreed to the community service devised by Fayette County Humane Police Officer Robin Moore after he told Moore he could not afford the fines and he did not want to go to jail.

Zimmerman could have faced a maximum fine of $750 and 90 days of jail time if convicted of the crime.

Moore said the community service will be something people remember, and will drive home the point that animal cruelty is a crime people don’t want to commit.

“The court’s penalty isn’t strict enough,” Moore said. “No one remembers anything. It’s about stepping out of the box for a little bit. It’s about letting people know animal cruelty is a crime.”

Moore added no room exists in the jails to house such criminals.

“There are convicted felons on probation because there is no room for them,” Moore said.

Zimmerman was issued a non-traffic citation for animal cruelty after he neglected a black and white mix breed dog named Salt and Pepper by depriving it of veterinary care and cruelly strangling the dog.

Magisterial District Judge Randy S. Abraham ordered Zimmerman to pay a $144 fine, $140 in restitution and $53.50 in other costs associated with the charges on Monday.

Ida Stonebreaker, 46, of the same address was cited along with Zimmerman in June. She also pled guilty to animal cruelty charges at the district justice’s Fairchance office on Monday, and was issued a slightly more costly fine, restitution and costs.

Stonebreaker pleaded guilty to neglecting a brownish tan mix breed named Tazz by depriving the dog of veterinary care and cruelly strangling the dog, according to the citations.

Moore earlier alleged that one dog died from a collar being on too tight, and the other was killed by way of human hands.

She said the deed was done out of anger at the dogs.

The court will enforce fines and restitution.

Moore said she will pick Zimmerman up at his Point Marion home and take him to the busy intersection to stand for the majority of the community service. Zimmerman will finish his community service in his hometown of Point Marion, Moore said.

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