AR-News: (NJ - US) Woman strikes plea deal in throwing puppy into creek

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Woman strikes plea deal in case of animal cruelty 
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
By PHILIP SEAN CURRAN
Staff Writer 
SALEM -- A Salem woman accused of animal cruelty -- throwing a puppy in a local creek -- pleaded guilty Monday to abandoning a puppy and a second offense. 

The plea agreement also called for Dianna M. Silenzio, 30, to pay more than $1,000 in fines. Silenzio appeared relieved afterward, despite being a little lighter in the purse. 

 
Edmund H. Shimp, the city's animal control officer, had alleged that last month, Silenzio threw a friend's dog into the Fenwick Creek. The dog, a 3-month-old shepherd mix renamed "Swimmer," survived the ordeal and since found a new home. 

But last week, Silenzio appeared in court for the first time to face charges Shimp filed against her. She sounded eager to put the matter behind her; she is due later this month to report for basic training in the U.S. Army. 

With the aid of a public defender, she worked out a plea bargain Monday that allowed her to avoid a trial. 

Appearing Monday before a municipal court judge, she pleaded guilty to letting the animal run at large and abandoning the puppy. The municipal prosecutor, Adam I. Telsey, agreed to drop the charge of inflicting unnecessary cruelty. 

She also must pay fines of $1,460, which she will pay on a schedule. 

On Monday, Silenzio said she felt "glad that it's put behind me." 

Last week, she indicated the dog had bitten a 22-month-old child around seven times. The dog was not hers, but belonged to a friend with whom she was living. 

As a form of punishment, she said she let the dog loose, a dog which had found its way home before. 

Shimp said afterward that he would have liked to see her perform community service as well. But the plea bargain did not call for that. 

Silenzio said the municipal court case will not jeopardize her military status. 

Afterward, Shimp credited Salem Police for their help in the case.