Washington County Republican Controller April Sloane entered a guilty plea in Washington County Court Thursday morning, to a third degree felony charge related to the death of her dog last year. Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh tells WJPA that Sloane entered the guilty plea to aggravated animal cruelty in front of Judge John DiSalle, who then outlined her plea agreement. Walsh says DiSalle sentenced her to five years probation, she was ordered to undergo mental health treatment and she is forbidden from having or adopting animals during that time. Walsh says she also agreed to submit her resignation from her position as controller on or before September 30th. The 43-year-old Sloane faced two felony aggravated cruelty to animals charges related to the death of her dog Thor. Sloane was accused of neglecting her dog and allowing it to live in deplorable conditions in her North Strabane Township home, causing its death. Police were alerted to the situation by the Washington County Humane Society who said they received a call about the dog. North Strabane Township Police searched Sloane’s home on December 6th and found the dead dog stashed away in a plastic bag in her garage. In an emailed statement, Washington County Republican Commission Chairman Nick Sherman said that, with her resignation pending, the county has immediately ceased all access to her functions of county government, including all computer access, and will be withholding her pay until the end of the month. Sherman says the Deputy Controller will assume Sloane’s duties until her term expires in 2025.