JUDGE RULES IN DOG AB– USE CASE

Judge Raymond Batten ruled on Tuesday in the animal cruelty case of a couple from Goshen. Dawn Scheld and her husband Leroy Thomas were convicted of multiple counts of animal cruelty in October for housing dozens of dogs in deplorable conditions. The judge ruled the couple must relinquish their rights to the dogs that were seized by the SPCA and banned them from owning any animals for five years. Judge Batten also granted a 30 day stay period to give Scheld and Thomas time to appeal the ruling. The cost of care and kenneling for the dogs since their seizure two years ago is estimated at more than $240,000. Scheld and Thomas are scheduled for a restitution hearing on Thursday.