Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — A St. Clair Twp. man accused of animal cruelty was found guilty Tuesday and sentenced to two years community control.

Glenn Ballard, of the first block of Meadow Drive in the Sharon Park neighborhood, was arrested in September after dropping off a Pomeranian at the Animal Friends Humane Society. The dog had severely matted fur with feces and maggots in its sores. It was euthanized.

Ballard and his lawyer claimed that the dog was a stray and the dog's injuries would not have been noticed by the average person. However, the prosecution countered that Ballard had kept and fed the dog since 2005.

Ballard took the stand to plead his case. However, Hamilton Municipal Court Judge John Rosmarin said that Ballard contradicted himself.

"His testimony is incredible," Rosmarin said. "Maybe it's not intentional, but he told about four different stories."

Rosmarin sentenced Ballard to a $100 fine plus court costs and two years of community control, a sentence similar to probation. Taking in to account that Ballard had suffered a head injury several years ago, Rosmarin suspended a 30-day jail sentence.

"For the next two years, I don't think you need to have an animal," he said.