JUDGE QUESTIONS PROSECUTION ABOUT PUSH FOR JAIL TIME

A Westmoreland County Judge on Friday questioned a push by Westmoreland County Prosecutors to have a North Belle Vernon man serve time in jail for failing to get lifesaving medical care for his dog.  The Trib reports that 55-year-old Dan Karbowsky faces one count each of aggravated cruelty to animals and neglect of animals after humane officers discovered the 13-year-old dog in his home, who was diagnosed in 2019 with cancer and a whip worm infection and went the next three years without receiving treatment.  Humane officers told prosecutors Karbowsky claimed he could not afford medical treatment for the dog and, when offered funds to do so, refused to seek care for his pet.   The dog has undergone treatments and has since recovered.  A request to put Karbowsky in an ARD program made by Judge Christopher Feliciani was rejected by the DA’s office.  The trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in September.