EASTON, Pa. – An Easton man charged with embedding fishhooks inside small dog treats and placing them along area sidewalks has pleaded guilty.
47-year-old Joseph Janko-Hudson of Easton entered a plea of guilty to the charges of cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals earlier today.
On February 8, Easton Police responded to the 400 block of Northampton Street following a report that small dog treats containing fishhooks had been discovered.
The witness who called police recovered approximately six pieces of dog treat, each with a fishhook concealed inside, while walking a dog in the area.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed a man walking in the vicinity and discarding items from his pocket along the street, near the location where the dog treats were initially recovered.
Officers later returned to the 400 block of Northampton Street and located additional dog treats embedded with fishhooks in the areas identified in the footage.
Officers identified the suspect as Janko-Hudson through the city surveillance footage and he was later arrested and charged.
On February 17, police received a report that a dog ingested a treat containing a razor blade. These treats were discovered in the 300 block of Northampton Street, and the dog’s owner recovered additional identical treats in the area, matching those previously located in the 400 block.
The dog was injured and required veterinary care, including two surgeries. The animal has since recovered, and Janko-Hudson was charged with one additional count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Janko-Hudson was sentenced to a total of 1 to 2 years in state prison, followed by 3 years of probation. Additionally, Janko-Hudson was ordered to pay restitution to the owner of the injured dog and is prohibited from owning or controlling animals for 7 years.