Man charged following fire
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) – A man who lost two dozen pets in an accidental fire last week has been charged with violating a Pennsylvania city’s animal ordinance.
Authorities in Bethlehem charged 60-year-old Joseph Mayer on Tuesday with keeping more animals than allowed by city law.
The charges follow a December 27 fire that killed two dozen animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits and more than a dozen birds.
Six animals survived the blaze.
Mayer was barred from owning animals after he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in 2009.
Mayer’s lawyer tells The Morning Call of Allentown that he’s surprised by the charge, which could result in fines or a prison sentence.
Attorney Scott Wilhelm says he thinks Mayer was permitted to own the animals because they were his pets before the cruelty conviction.
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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com
The Associated Press
01/04/11 15:06