State v. Augusta and Burdett Crandall; cases we prosecuted for the Medina County SPCA. Both will serve jail time and are prohibited from keeping companion animals indefinitely.
The Defendants, husband and wife, were each found guilty of companion animal cruelty for starving their dogs Thor and Loki (later renamed Abu and Andor).
The Defendants were sentenced today by Judge McIlvaine of the Wadsworth Municipal Court. Burdett Crandall was given 90 days in jail, with 75 days suspended. Augusta was given 90 days in jail with 80 days suspended. That means he will serve 15 days, and she will serve 10. The remaining suspended time may be imposed if they fail to complete 5 years’ probation. During probation, they are prohibited from owning, keeping or living in a residence with animals. They must also submit to random inspections. There was no fine, but they must pay court costs and $5,304.17 restitution to the Medina County SPCA. Finally, they are prohibited from owning or keeping companion animals indefinitely.
At sentencing, Augusta Crandall acknowledged that she went to school for veterinary practice for one and a half years before giving it up for financial reasons.
We are pleased that Judge McIlvaine has sent a strong message to the community about the seriousness of animal neglect.
