WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The woman responsible for the largest animal-hoarding incident in St. Joseph County Animal Control’s history was sentenced last week.
Appearing Friday before circuit court judge Paul Stutesman, Diane Pitone was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $5,000 to the Centreville-based animal-control agency.
Taking into consideration a number of factors, Stutesman did not order jail time or probation.
Appearing via Zoom alongside attorney Stephen Rabaut, the 49-year-old Pitone said she never meant to bring harm to any of the more than 150 cats retrieved from a Fishers Lake residence.
Pitone had previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of cruelty to animals. The offense was punishable by a maximum of four years in prison.
Her guilty plea led to dismissal of charges in a related case in Three Rivers, where authorities discovered another 50-plus cats at a house where her boyfriend lived. The Park Township situation unfolded in early August, while the Three Rivers discovery was made a week later.
Stutesman ordered restitution of $4,965. In addition, Pitone is subject to a few hundred dollars in court-related fines.
Between the two incidents, more than 200 cats were secured. Some had to be euthanized out of mercy due to health and neurological issues.
