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Two Pittsfield residents have been sentenced to probation, fines and restitution to resolve a 2025 animal abandonment case.
Trista K. Wilson, 21, of Pittsfield, and Drake A. Johnson, 23, were both sentenced July 24 in the Court of Common Pleas by Judge Todd Woodin. Wilson was sentenced July 24 to 18 months of probation, $1,150 in fines and $3,176 in business entity restitution. She had pleaded guilty in May to charges of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, misdemeanor neglect of animals – sustenance/water while felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals – causing serious bodily injury or death and aggravated cruelty to animals – torture were not prosecuted.
Johnson had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of neglect of animals – sustenance/water, application dog license/fees, penalties and vaccination against rabies required – proof of vaccination in June while a misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge was not prosecuted. He was sentenced July 24 to a year of probation, a $100 fine and business entity restitution of $3,176.
Troopers responded to the area of Murray Hill Road and Stilson Hill Road in Sugar Grove on Oct. 17 for a report of an injured dog. Upon arrival, troopers report seeing two small mixed breed dogs on the shoulder of Murray Hill Road, one of which was allegedly extremely malnourished. Both dogs were taken to Paws Along The River for treatment. Troopers then found the owners of the dogs and charged them on Nov. 3.
Police testimony alleges dogs found in Sugar Grove in mid October were abandoned after their owners relationship ended – with both of the people charged blaming each other for the dogs being left unattended.
According to the Affidavits of Probable Cause filed in the criminal cases against Johnson and Wilson, troopers who arrived at Murray Hill Road and Stilson Hill Road in Sugar Grove Township found one of the two dogs they found was unable to move due to severe neglect, mainly starvation. The dogs were taken to Paws Along The River Humane Society, where the most severely malnourished dog was immediately administered fluids via three separate injections and then provided wet puppy food for immediate nourishment.
The next day, Wilson and Johnson contacted the State Police at Warren claiming ownership of the dogs after seeing their photos posted on social media. The dogs resided at 10 Edgewood Drive, Youngsville, in the Pleasant Valley Trailer Park, according to the affidavit. Wilson allegedly owned the most severely malnourished dog, a black and tan dog named Luna, while Johnson claimed ownership of a red and white dog named Kisses. The affidavit states Wilson and Johnson had a domestic dispute on Oct. 8 that ended their relationship, with Johnson moving to Clarendon for a short time and then later moving with friends in Warren while Wilson also moved to an address in Pittsfield.
“Wilson and Johnson both left the two dogs at the residence at 10 Edgewood Drive in Youngsville, PA,” the affidavit states. “The dogs were not cared for from the dates of Oct. 8, 2025, to approximately Oct. 16, 2025.”
Troopers interviewed Wilson, who allegedly said she did not come back to the Edgewood Drive home because Johnson was supposed to take care of the dogs. Johnson told troopers he was under the impression Wilson would take care of the dogs due to her proximity to the trailer and the fact she had kicked him out of the trailer and taken back a house key. Troopers allege Wilson did not return to the house until Oct. 16, when she alleged the door to the trailer was open, the dog crate broken and the dogs missing.
“This officer does not find it possible the dogs traveled approximately 5-7 miles on their own, given the severity of starvation and overall neglected condition of the black and tan dog named Luna. Luna displayed an unstable gait and continually collapsed in my presence while being treated at the Humane Society, leading this officer to reasonably believe they were purposefully abandoned at the location on Murray Hill Road,” the affidavit states.