CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #5064 Rating: 2.0 out of 5
Pet store neglect
Carrick, PA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005
County: Allegheny
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: John Regelman
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Humane Officer Kathy Hecker says workers removed at least seven dead animals from the Cobra's Den in Carrick on July 19.
"We had three pet rats that were dead," Hecker adds, "a dead snake, a dead guinea pig, a couple dead hampsters -- and a live turtle and two live guinea pigs. And then we did find a live snake as well."
When humane officials found out that the owner was John Regelman, Hecker said they immediately suspected that the animals had been victims of neglect.
Hecker says Regelman has faced animal cruelty charges in the past. "He's been in the pet business before and he's never done a real good job at it long term, so yes he has had animal cruelty charges before and we have removed animals from him before.
"As soon as I got the name, I knew that we had to get here immediately -- that it was probably serious. I mean, accidents can happen, but this was abandonment," says Hecker.
Regelman is denying the neglect allegations.
He told news media that he's been sick and out of town lately. He says someone else had the key to the store and was supposed to be taking care of the animals.
As for the previous animal cruelty charges that Hecker mentioned, Regelman says he was charged with animal abuse in 1999, but he claims the charges against him were thrown out.
While authorities have not yet officially charged Regelman in this latest case, Hecker says they expect to file animal cruelty and neglect charges on July 21, 2005.
Case UpdatesA pet shop owner has been found guilty on 10 counts of animal cruelty after several animals at his shop died. A bench warrant was issued December 20, 2005, for John Regelman, 49, who failed to show up at his hearing before District Judge Richard King.
He was charged by humane officers in July 2005 after they were alerted to animals dying in the front window of Mr. Regelman's shop, the Cobra's Den, 1225 Brownsville Road, Carrick.
Officer Katie Waters said they found one guinea pig dead and another dying in the front window. A third guinea pig survived and went to live with a kennel worker at the shelter. Officers also found three dead pet rats and a dead snake. Two live ball pythons were badly dehydrated but lived. Mr. Regelman, who was jailed for more than a day in the case when he failed to show up at an earlier hearing, was ordered to pay $1,100 in fines and also will have to pay court costs. | Source: Post Gazette News - December 23, 2005
Update posted on Dec 23, 2005 - 11:16PM |
John Regelman, of Carrick, was found guilty Thursday on several counts of animal cruelty. The judge found Regelman guilty of eight counts of neglecting animals and ordered him to pay a fine of $930.
Outside the courtroom, Regelman had nothing to say about the incident.
But inside, he told the judge he was on vacation and a friend was supposed to be caring for his animals.
Humane Society officers said they got an anonymous complaint in July and rushed to the pet shop on Brownsville Road.
When the officers arrived, they found three rats, a guinea pig and a python snake dead and other animals in bad shape with no food or water.
Humane Society Officer Kathy Hecker said the conditions were horrible. She said the shop was a mess and smelled like dead animals. She said the shop was so hot the animals might have baked to death.
Hecker testified that Regelman has a history of neglecting animals.
In 1990, she said, Regelman pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in Beaver County and was sentenced to jail time and ordered to not have animals for 10 years.
In court, Regelman said he didn't recall that case, even though officers showed him a plea agreement signed by him.
Humane Society officers said they were pleased with the judge's decision.
Officers said the animals they rescued are now thriving.
Officials said during the hearing, Regelman told the judge that he is through with animals. | Source: WPXI - Sept 8, 2005
Update posted on Sep 9, 2005 - 10:14AM |
Animal Friends is offering a reward of $250 for any information regarding the whereabouts of a man facing animal cruelty charges. John Regelman was cited on July 21 for humane violations found at his Carrick pet shop, the Cobra's Den.
Regelman has a prior conviction for cruelty to animals in a pet shop he operated in 1990. 153 neglected animals and 24 dead ones were removed from a Regelman pet shop located in Freedom, Beaver County.
Regelman pled guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, a $300 fine and full restitution and was ordered to have no contact with animals for 10 years.
He was already in prison serving out a three-year sentence on unrelated charges.
If you have information about Regelman's whereabouts, contact Officer Katie Waters of the Animal Friends Humane Investigations Department at (412) 456-5687. | Source: WTAE - Aug 29, 2005
Update posted on Aug 29, 2005 - 2:56PM |
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