Two animal abuse cases filed in Greene County

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By Carmen Ensinger

Animal abuse and/or neglect will no longer be tolerated in Greene County, as evidenced by two separate cases filed in Greene County Circuit Court last week which date back to February and March of this year.
Newly elected Greene County State’s Attorney Craig Grummel filed two felony charges of Animal Cruelty on May 14 in Greene County Circuit Court on Michael J. Vangiesen, 25.
According to charging documents, VanGiesen, shot a German shorthair pointer dog, killing it. He also shot a Beagle, causing it to “suffer serious injury.”
Aggravated Cruelty to animals is a Class 4 Felony and is punishable by one to three years in prison for a first conviction and two to five years on a second conviction. Probation is also an option and rests with the judge who will base this option on the specific facts and circumstances of the case.
A preliminary hearing has been set for July 30 at 9 a.m. in Greene County Circuit Court.
Two days later, on May 16, Grummel filed two charges of Cruel Treatment of an Animal, against Allison Gwartney, 34, of Roodhouse.
The charges against Gwartney allege that on or about Feb. 28 Gwartney “did knowingly cruelly treat, tormented and starved an animal…by failing to provide adequate food and water to a pet under her care, thereby subjecting the animal to unnecessary suffering.”
The two animals in question were two German Shorthaired dogs named Gunner and Blitz.
Cruel Treatment of an Animal is a Class A Misdemeanor which can result in up to 364 days in a county jail, a fine of up to $2,500 or a combination of both. Additionally, a judge may impose court supervision, conditional discharge or probation for up to 24 months.
Gwartney’s next appearance in Greene County Circuit Court will be on July 7 at 1:30 p.m. for arraignment.