HEMPFIELD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGE

A Hempfield man was sentenced yesterday to a year of probation for a guilty plea to a charge of animal cruelty.  The Trib reports that the charge filed against 40-year-old Timothy Grace was in connection with an incident on February 22nd at Calligan’s Bar where he brought an injured parakeet in his pocket.  The bird had a broken leg, and when Grace was arrested, the bird was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic in Monroeville for treatment. As part of the plea deal, Stewart ordered Grace to pay restitution to cover the medical treatment. The judge also barred Grace from owning or possessing any animals during his probation.