Derry woman charged with animal neglect receives probation sentence

A Derry Borough woman will serve one-year probation for her role in the mistreatment of dozens of animals found living in poor conditions last year on her sister’s property.

Prosecutors said as many as 14 horses, eight dogs, a donkey and dozens of cats and kittens were found emaciated, in distress and living in deplorable conditions at a farm near Route 982.

Diana Dillon-Smith and her sister, Faun Dillon, were each charged with 279 counts of animal neglect and other offenses.

In court Wednesday, Dillon-Smith entered into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time, nonviolent offenders.

Admission to the diversionary program is not considered an admission of guilt. Dillon-Smith is eligible to have her criminal record expunged after successfully completing the probation term imposed by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani.

Defense attorney Jason Huska said Dillon-Smith agreed to the probation term even though she still maintained her innocence.

“An opportunity arose to have a resolution in this case in order to put this matter behind her,” Huska said. “She didn’t reside at the location were the animals were found.”

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Calisti said Dillon-Smith was charged because an investigation determined she owned some of the animals and was listed in veterinarian records as being responsible for their care.

“She wasn’t the caregiver, but she was the owner and she should have checked on them,” Calisti said.

As a condition of her probation, Dillon-Smith is barred from owning animals other than two dogs that are currently in her care. She will be subjected to inspections from humane officers.

Andrea Palmer, a humane officer with All But Furgotten in North Huntingdon, said one horse was found dead on the property and the other rescued animals were treated and placed in foster homes.

“They are doing much better,” Palmer said of the surviving animals.

Criminal charges still remain against Dillon-Smith’s sister, who is currently living in Michigan and struggling with health issues, Calisti said.