ALFRED – York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery has released a statement regarding the plea deal that was made last week with John and Heidi Frasca of Buxton, the former owners of J’aime Kennels.

The Frascas were facing animal cruelty charges from 2007 related to their kennel. Some law enforcement personnel involved in the seizure of dogs from the Frascas were upset that they were not told of the court hearing. The American Journal’s story on last week’s court proceeding can be found here.

The following is the statement issued by Slattery:

“The charges against John and Heidi Frasca have been pending since November 2007. Since then, they have not been involved in further instances of this type nor any type of criminal activity. The combined criminal and civil sanctions imposed on them have been substantial including the loss of their property.

On March 17, 2011, the defendant’s pled to five counts of Cruelty to Animals, Class D misdemeanors. The sentencing on the charges is deferred for a period of seventeen (17) months.

The deferral allows continued monitoring to ensure the defendant’s compliance. During this time, the defendant’s are to perform community service to recognize their debt to the community.

Should the defendant’s violate the terms of the deferral, they will each face sentencing by the Court on the charges of Cruelty to Animals in which the maximum penalty is a jail sentence of up to 364 days on each count.”