The case against a former Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department deputy is now scheduled for a hearing.
Craig Bale, Oswego, has been formally charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a Class B misdemeanor. A hearing date has been scheduled for April 26 at 1 p.m. in Superior Court II.
Bale allegedly has been involved in more than one incident in which animals in his care were mistreated.
The animal welfare organization One Dog At A Time has been involved with Bale concerning the treatment of Bale's dogs in the past.
In December, concerned neighbors called the sheriff's department alleging that dogs in Bale's care were being starved. Recently, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department did contact Bale and several photos of animals in his care were taken and submitted to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's office, along with an ongoing report.
Bale has not been arrested and the prosecutor's office is handling all calls concerning the case.
