KINGSTON – A Kingston woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty and a West Park man has been charged with a similar crime.

Heather Miller of Kingston was sentenced in Town of Ulster Court on February 5 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges under state law.

Ulster County SPCA investigators arrested Miller in September after finding her two dogs abandoned without food and water.  The animals were confined to a single waste filled cage and both bogs were covered in fecal matter.

The dogs were surrendered to the Ulster County SPCA and Miller was ordered to pay $1,141 in restitution to the agency.  She also may not own any animals for three months. Failure to comply with the court order could land her a six month jail sentence.

Meanwhile, Christopher Lyons of West Park was arraigned in Town of Esopus Court on February 5 after being charged with two misdemeanor violations of failure to provide proper sustenance to an impounded animal under state law.

Prior to his arraignment, Ulster County SPCA investigators and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Lyons’ residence and removed two pit bulls from the basement.

Both dogs were examined by veterinarians and found to have sustained injuries consistent with physical trauma.

Lyons was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.  He case will be heard in town court later this month.