Animal case delayed again

WINCHESTER — A case involving a local man charged with animal cruelty was delayed Thursday.

Russell L. Ebersole — who owns Aberdeen Acres Pet Care Center in Stephenson — faces 13 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He has denied the allegations.

Ebersole appeared in Frederick County Circuit Court with local attorney Roger Inger.

His case — which has now been continued four times since he was indicted in November — was postponed until 9 a.m. March 7.

The pet care center owner has been under investigation for animal cruelty since August 2011, when two former employees filed a complaint about the use of abusive training practices.

He is accused of choking, beating, kicking and torturing several dogs in his care.

According to its website, Aberdeen Acres is a grooming, training and boarding facility that specializes in basic obedience, agility, protection and service dog training.

It is unclear if the alleged abuse took place at the pet center.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com