Washington County officials, local political parties call for controller to resign
Sloane charged with animal cruelty in connection with dog’s death
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
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High-ranking government officials in Washington County and both local political parties are calling for Controller April Sloane to resign from her position immediately after she was arrested Tuesday on felony animal cruelty charges following the death of her dog.
Multiple county officials – most of whom are Sloane’s fellow Republicans – and both the Democratic Committee and Republican Party in Washington County released statements demanding Sloane’s resignation, saying she is no longer fit to serve.
The county officials who work alongside Sloane said Wednesday she “no longer holds the moral compass or compassion to represent the people” after her dog, Thor, died Nov. 27 in her home from what North Strabane police said was extreme neglect. The officials said “countless” people have contacted them in the days since police searched Sloane’s home in North Strabane on Dec. 6 and found Thor’s carcass stuffed in a trash bag and discarded in the garage.
Sloane was arrested in her county office Tuesday afternoon and charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty along with one misdemeanor charge of neglect of an animal for denying vet care. She is free on $150,000 unsecured bond and is permitted to continue working as county controller while the legal process moves forward.
“As elected leaders, we know that an officeholder must be free to focus on official responsibilities, something we believe Controller Sloane will be unable to do given the troubling allegations raised by authorities,” the letter from county officials states. “For this reason, we believe she should step aside from official duties so that her office can function without the distraction and impediments these criminal charges place in her path.”
The joint statement was issued by Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman, along with incoming commissioner Electra Janis. The letter was also signed by county Treasurer Tom Flickenger, Prothonotary Laura Hough and Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell. Of that group, all are Republicans except for Maggi, who is a Democrat.
The letter also states that the group will be making an undisclosed donation to the Washington County Abused Animal Relief Fund in memory of Thor. Sherman and Flickinger are both board members of WAARF.
Hours after charges were filed Tuesday, the Washington County Democratic Committee posted a statement on its Facebook page urging Sloane to immediately resign from office.
“The facts of this case are revolting, disturbing and demand that April Sloane be removed from public office,” the statement reads.
“We will pursue every option available to ensure that she is removed from office,” the statement goes on to read.
The Washington County Republican Party, which had already distanced itself from Sloane immediately after the chargers were filed but fell short of calling for her resignation, released a statement late Wednesday saying the committee thought it was time for her to leave office.
“The WCRP holds all of our elected officials to the highest standard and believes in full accountability,” the statement reads. “We believe that given the severity and seriousness of these charges, Ms. Sloane will be unable to dedicate the time and focus to the Office of County Controller that it demands and that the taxpayers deserve.”
Sloane, who did not respond to a phone message Tuesday on the charges or whether she planned to step down, has not spoken publicly about the situation or her future as controller.
Barring her resignation, it would fall to Gov. Josh Shapiro to attempt to remove Sloane with support of two-thirds of the state Senate, which is controlled by Republicans. She could also be removed following conviction of “misbehavior in office, or of any infamous crime,” according to state law.
Meanwhile, the five state House Republicans from Washington County also expressed “outrage” over the death of Sloane’s dog, but did not include language in their statement Wednesday calling for her to resign.
Sloane took office in January 2022 after winning election as a Republican. Her term is set to run through the end of 2025.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with a statement from the Washington County Republican Party released late Wednesday night.