John Regelman, 49, owner of the Cobra's Den pet store in Carrick, was found guilty Thursday of 10 counts of cruelty to animals after several dead or near death from dehydration were found in his shop.

District Judge Richard King of Carrick fined Regelman $800 -- $100 for each of eight animal cruelty counts. For two other cruelty charges, King imposed sentences of $200 fines or 180 days in jail.

If Regelman pays the fines, does not file an appeal and does not get arrested, he will not go to jail. If he violates any of King's orders, he will be sent to jail and the two 90-day sentences will run consecutively.

On July 21, Animal Friends humane officers Kathy Hecker and Katie Waters filed charges against Regelman, whose residence and pet shop were at 1225 Brownsville Road.

Neighbors and passers-by had tipped Animal Friends that dead animals were in the windows of the shop. Inside the shop, officers found three dead pet rats, a dead snake and a dead guinea pig, along with animals that were near death because of dehydration and heat stroke.