WEST CHESTER — A Chester County man will no longer be allowed to have pets in the future after pleading guilty recently to charges that he abused a dog whose leg had been amputated.
On Nov. 8, defendant Curtis Bacon entered a plea to a count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony. As part of an agreement negotiated by Deputy District Attorney Bridget Gallagher and Bacon’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Sameer Barkawi, he was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Thomas “Tip” McCabe to a prison term of 13 to 60 months.
In addition, Bacon, 34, of South Coatesville agreed to pay restitution to the Brandywine Valley SPCA for the veterinary care of Ava, the dog he abused, and is prohibited from possessing animals or pets in the future.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a news release about the case, “Thanks to the combined efforts of Brandywine Valley SPCA and the prosecutors in this case, we were able to ensure that the person responsible for torturing a helpless dog was brought to justice.”
“We are grateful to our humane law officers and the entire team at the Chester County D.A.’s office who have been able to get justice for Ava and ensure no other animals suffer at the hands of her abuser,” said Adam Lamb, the organization’s chief executive officer.
“It’s a miracle Ava survived with the type of injuries she sustained, and sickening to think about the trauma she endured, but we are glad that life of abuse is behind her, and she has a full life ahead of her in a loving home,” said Lamb.
On Dec. 15, 2023, South Coatesville Police Department officers and an officer of the SPCA’s animal protection unit obtained a search warrant to check the well-being of Ava after a tip that Bacon was abusing the dog.
Upon arrival, officers found that Ava was malnourished and withdrawn. Ava was missing her right rear leg, which appeared to have been recently removed, and her left eye was injured. Ava was rushed to the Veterinary Referral Center in Malvern where doctors found that she had numerous injuries, including a traumatic amputation of her lower leg. Ava also sustained multiple other fractures that healed in abnormal positions and was severely emaciated.
Ava survived and is now doing well. A volunteer for the SPCA took in Ava to foster her through both treatment and recovery. Ava was later adopted after being medically cleared to go home. She now walks the streets of West Chester with her new owners.
The Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Protective Services Unit was the lead investigating agency and were assisted in this investigation by the South Coatesville Police Department.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
