BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)-Patrick Grasley, 23, of Bucyrus received a sentence of nearly five years in prison from Judge sean Leuthold in The Crawford County Common Pleas Court.

The sentence stems from a horrifying discovery of two decomposed dogs found in a garage cage at Grasley’s residence, located at 1722 Lincoln Highway. Authorities were alerted to the situation on May 29 following an anonymous tip reporting alleged animal abuse.

The anonymous source provided graphic photographs of the dogs, which had apparently been deceased for weeks, as indicated by the advanced stage of decomposition. Evidence at the scene suggested the animals had desperately attempted to escape their confinement,digging into the ground in an effort to flee their death trap.

Upon their arrival, deputies confirmed the grim findings.grasley admitted to officers that he had not removed the dogs’ bodies and had placed them in a burn barrel the night before law enforcement arrived. He also revealed that he was aware that someone intended to report him for neglecting the animals.

Grasley was taken into custody by Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Winkelman.He pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 36 months in prison, and cruelty to animals, a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to 12 months in prison.

Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Grasley to 59 months in prison.Grasley has been in custody since May 29 and will receive credit for time served.