LOCK HAVEN - James Standridge of Jersey Shore entered guilty pleas in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday Morning to one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals by Torture, a felony 3, and one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals by Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury or Death, a felony 3.  Standridge appeared before Judge Michael F. Salisbury who accepted the guilty pleas, but first required Standridge to describe what it was that he had done to his dog, Luna, giving rise to the criminal charges.  Standridge then explained to the Court that he had tied Luna to a tree and shot the dog 2 times.  He told Salisbury that he believed the dog was dead, and he left quickly because he saw a car coming.  Standridge claimed the dog had attacked his older dog in the household in front of his children and that was why he decided to shoot her.  

Prior to the Defendant entering his guilty pleas, District Attorney Dave Strouse outlined the terms of Standridge's plea agreement, informing the Court that there essentially was no agreement.  Strouse said the Commonwealth had not agreed to a minimum or maximum sentence in the case, and the Court will be free to sentence to any term of incarceration it deems appropriate and lawful pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines.  In total, the maximum term of incarceration and supervision available on the two felonies is 14 years.  Strouse also outlined that the standard sentence ranges for the offenses, which are prescribed by the legislature, call for minimum sentences of anywhere between probation to up to 12 months of incarceration for the charges.

Standridge was scheduled for sentencing in June, and Salisbury Ordered a pre-sentence investigation and social history report to be completed by the Clinton County Adult Probation Department prior to sentencing. That report is expected to provide more information about Standridge and the circumstances of the crimes.  During the plea hearing, DA Strouse also informed the Court that the Commonwealth would be seeking restitution for vet bills and other services provided by the Clinton County SPCA for Luna, who has since been taken in as a foster dog and renamed "Lucky."  Standridge balked at the request for restitution, claiming that the SPCA had raised "more than $10,000" in fundraising after news of Lucky spread on social media and local news networks.  Salisbury informed Standridge that he could dispute the restitution amount at his sentencing, and the Court would decide that issue at a later date.

Standridge was originally charged by Pine Creek Township Police after they received reports that a passing motorist found a brindle-colored female pitbull terrier on January 27, 2023 along the side of the road on Pine Mountain Road in Wayne Township.  The dog was visibly injured with open wounds, later revealed to be bullet wounds when the slugs were found still embedded in the dog's flesh.  The original release from Pine Creek Township PD can be found here:  https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/pinecreekpd/133270/arrests/standridge-james-r-5534a1-aggravated-cruelty-animals-f3-and-5-additional-charges