Sarah Vye admits she abandoned her dog at an animal shelter in Lewiston this winter. The lab mix named Abby was later hit and killed by a car.
By pleading guilty to one count of animal cruelty Monday Vye is avoiding possible jail time with a trial. Vye initially pleaded not guilty in April but changed it to guilty during a conference hearing Monday morning.
She was given a 90 day suspended jail sentence with one year of probation, which means she won't serve time unless she violates probation or the terms of the plea agreement.
Vye isn't allowed to own a pet during the one-year of probation and she'll subjected to random checks in case officers think she has a pet during this one-year.
The case gained a lot of attention after the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society posted surveillance video showing Vye leaving her dog before the shelter was open.
A day after the dog was found dead she called a Portland radio station, claiming she did it to "protect her children".
In addition, Vye will also have to pay a $500 fine.
(WGME - Aug 15, 2016)
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