Charges against veteranian accused of cruelty to animals are dismissed

Charges filed by a Humane Society police officer against a Jim Thorpe veterinarian, alleging animal cruelty, were dismissed yesterday by a District Court Judge.

Dr. Clyde Rendell Shoop was charged with housing four horses "in filthy conditions with manure up to their knees. There were other allegations that he maintained the horses is substandard conditions.

However, District Judge Edward Lewis said the officer filing the charges had no expert witness to substantiate the claims.

Dr. Shoop was charged by officer June M. Parker of Pocono Animal Rescue, Bartonsville, with two counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and four counts of cruelty to animals.

The hearing on the charges was scheduled yesterday afternoon.

Discussion was held between the lawyer for Dr. Shoop and Assistant District Attorney James Lavelle. After the discussion, the hearing was called-off. Lewis tossed out the charges after hearing that there were no witnesses except Parker and another Pocono Animal Rescue worker present to testify.

Dr. Shoop, a veterinarian for decades with a specialty in large animals, kept the horses at 2099 Center Street.

The affidavit filed by Parker said her agency had received an anonymous call regarding the welfare of the horses.

She said in the affidavit that she and officer Eileen Pasquin found four horses kept in filthy conditions. Besides the accusation of the manure, Parker also alleged that there was a "lack of adequate water supply, property was littered with garbage, scrap metal, dangerous metal fencing that was hazardous."

She also alleged there was no food or water tank on the premises and that "one paint mare was in moderate body condition."

Parker said she contacted Dr. Shoop by phone and in writing, advising him of the changes needing to be made in a specified period of time.

Upon a follow-up visit, she alleged that two horses were missing, a violation of rules. This led to the filing of charges for tampering or fabricating physical evidence.