Plea deal reached in central Indiana animal cruelty case

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - A central Indiana couple charged with animal cruelty after 171 dead animals were found on their farm have pleaded guilty to four counts each of improper disposal of a dead animal.

Thirty-four-year-old Daniel Ault and 31-year-old Carrie Ault entered the pleas Monday in Madison Circuit Court. The Herald Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/1ti1QhA ) that in return for their guilty pleas, the state has agreed to dismiss more than 100 other counts against the couple, including two counts of child neglect.

The animals were found rotting on the couple's property near Summitville, about 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, in April 2013.

A telephone message seeking comment was left for the Aults' attorney.

Sentencing has been set for Feb. 13.

___

Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com