DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man accused of abandoning a cat, who was later found dead, in an apartment after he and his roommate moved out in August has pleaded guilty.
In early October, Dewey Leroy Moraine, 59, and Nancy Jane Coffey, 55, were charged with abandonment of cats and dogs with serious injury or death. According to court records, in August their cat, named Mickey, was found dead in the apartment that they had moved out of. A criminal complaint states that Mickey was left without access to food and water.
Criminal complaints filed against the two say they made comments saying, “they were unable to catch the animal while moving and due to this, abandoned the animal inside the apartment.”
According to court records, on Monday Moraine pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 20 days in jail and fined $855. The sentencing order states that Dewey was credited with 20 days previously served in jail and his fine was suspended.
Coffey has pleaded not guilty to the abandonment charge, court records state. A pretrial conference is scheduled for November 17.
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