FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth couple accused in the deaths of three puppies found burned have received probation after each pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty.
The Tarrant County district attorney's office says that on Tuesday, Melissa Ann Woodard and Christopher Apala each reached plea bargain agreements. In exchange for guilty pleas, Woodard received three years of probation and Apala received five years. As a condition of Apala's probation, he was ordered to serve 30 days in jail.
Both defendants were also ordered to undergo random drug testing, a drug evaluation and complete community service. If either violates the conditions of their probation, they face up to two years in state jail.
The couple was arrested in June after Woodard's sister found the dead puppies at their home.