ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Paula Metzler entered a guilty plea last Tuesday before Belmont County Western Division Court Judge Eric Costine after the Belmont County Animal Rescue League found dogs in poor condition at her residence.

According to court records, Metzler, of 100 Fair Avenue, Fairview/Quaker City, was accused of five counts of violations of prohibitions concerning companion animals, a misdemeanor of the second degree occurring in 2019. The five counts were merged into one and she entered her plea.

She was fined $100 plus costs and she is not to own any dogs with the exception of one service animal for her daughter.

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said barring Metzler from again owning animals was the primary goal.

“We were able to secure a lifetime ban from the court from ever letting her own an animal again,” Flanagan said. “This was a claim of negligence, not intentional mistreatment. BCARL was the investigating agency and they did a terrific job.”

Flanagan said any violation on Metzler’s part could result in harsher penalties including possible time in jail.

“(The dogs were) adopted out,” Flanagan said. “The goal was not only to get the animals from her, which we were successful in doing, but also precluding her from ever owning an animal again.”