Community Corner

Guilty Plea on Animal Cruelty Charge for Sterling Man

The man agreed to misdemeanor animal cruelty charge related to December incident.

A Sterling man this week pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. Gary Rouse, 49, was charged after authorities executed a cruelty search warrant Dec. 14.

Rouse’s dog, an adult female Dogue de Bordeaux, was seized from the home and was awarded Dec. 21 to the custody of Loudoun Animal Services during a custody hearing.

A judge sentenced Rouse to perform 60 hours of community service and to serve 180 days in jail, which was suspended for two years pending Rouse’s good behavior. Rouse also was ordered to pay approximately $1,800 in fines and is prohibited from possessing or owning any animals for a period of two years.

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The Loudoun County Department of Animal Services, 39820 Charles Town Pike, in Waterford can be reached seven days a week at 703-777-0406. Find more information about the department’s programs and services online at www.loudoun.gov/animals.


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