Canfield man found guilty on animal cruelty charges
CANFIELD — A man originally charged with 13 counts of cruelty to animals pleaded no contest to subsections of two of those charges in county court here.
Thomas Skelton was charged over the condition of 13 horses taken by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office from his property at 5156 S. Raccoon Road in October. The horses were placed in foster care. Two of them were euthanized, according to court records.
Skelton pleaded no contest to two counts of failure to provide wholesome exercise and change of air June 18, said court bailiff Bob Rupp.
He was found guilty and ordered to pay restitution to 10 people who fostered his horses. He paid $8,772, which was divided among the 10, court records show. The other 11 charges were dismissed, and the 11 remaining horses were returned to Skelton, Rupp said.