Stroudsburg – Arnold Wheeler, formerly of Saylorsburg, was acquitted on charges of animal cruelty, for shooting his three dogs, but will pay a fine and do jail time for dumping the dogs’ bodies.

A jury in Monroe County Court deliberated about an hour before returning its verdict, finding Wheeler guilty only of scattering rubbish.  For that, he will pay a $200 fine and serve 30 days in the county jail.

Wheeler, 42, was acquitted on charges relating to shooting of the dogs.  He said, following the 2006 incident, that he could not care for the dogs, could not find anyone to take them, and could not afford to have them euthanized. 

The prosecution argued Wheeler did not pursue all available alternatives before killing the dogs, and that shooting the dogs with a .22 caliber rifle amounted to cruelty.

Pennsylvania law does permit owners to shoot their dogs.