A Hempfield man was sentenced to one year of probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges for bringing an injured parakeet into a Greensburg bar.
Timothy Grace, 40, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and neglect of animals stemming from a Feb. 22 incident at Callaghan’s Bar. In addition to probation, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart II ordered Grace to undergo mental health and alcohol addiction evaluations.
Patrons and staff told police Grace appeared intoxicated when he entered the bar with the bird in his pocket. Witnesses said the parakeet had a tag on its right leg, which appeared broken as the bird sat on the shoulder of another customer, according to court records.
Greensburg police arrested Grace and took the parakeet to an emergency veterinary clinic in Monroeville for treatment. Four days after the incident, the bird — named Blue Skies by clinic staff — remained in a splint and was treated for respiratory ailments.
Doctors were initially unsure if the bird would keep its leg, according to court documents.
Teri Grendzinski, president of Pittsburgh-based PEARL Parrot Rescue, said Wednesday she is caring for Blue Skies and his condition has improved.
“He has been out of the splint for about two weeks, and his leg seems to have healed quite nicely. His breathing is much better as well,” Grendzinski said. She noted that the bill for the bird’s medical care has topped $5,000.
As part of the plea deal, Stewart ordered Grace to pay restitution to cover the medical treatment. The judge also barred Grace from owning or possessing any animals during his probation.
Prosecutors dismissed one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and a summary offense of transporting animals in a cruel manner.
Grace did not speak during his brief hearing and declined to comment as he left the courtroom.