Oct 15, 2014 2 min read

A New Eagle woman was sentenced to 3 to 23 months in jail Wednesday after she pleaded guilty to her role in an animal cruelty case that left two pit bull puppies injured.

Kimberly Watts, 26, of 135 Union St., appeared before Washington County Judge Gary Gilman and pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals.

Watts and her husband, Danny Roosevelt Watts, 25, also of 135 Union St., were accused of stabbing one animal and injuring the other March 22 in their home.

Monongahela police officers responded to the couple’s home for a report of a 2-year-old girl who had been bitten on the lip and forehead by a dog. The girl was taken to an area hospital, where she received stitches to her lip.

When police initially talked with Kimberly Watts, she told police the dog bit her daughter in the lip area and she grabbed a knife and stabbed the dog because that was what she “was taught to do.” She later changed her story and told police she saw the dog biting the girl on the lip, and that when she yelled at the puppy, it ran to a back room. She said she then grabbed the knife and went to the room, where she stabbed the animal.

The puppy had several cuts on its head, stomach and back. Police also spotted a second puppy, which was limping badly.

Danny Watts told police the second puppy was injured while tussling with the other dog. Officers were later told by a witness that Danny Watts threw the puppy against a wall.

Both puppies were taken for emergency veterinary care. The puppies were between 13 and 14 weeks old at the time of the attack. Rescuers named the puppies Trooper and Sadie Belle. Trooper was adopted in May by retired U.S. Marine Corps sniper Neil K. Morris of Speers. Sadie Belle required surgery.

The couple were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct. The remaining charges against Kimberly Watts were not pursued as part of a plea agreement.

Her attorney, Jack Puskar, said Watts was sorry for her actions. Puskar said he believes Danny Watts will proceed to trial.

Kimberly Watts was ordered to report to the county jail Wednesday afternoon.