Jeannette woman accused of trying to steal her own dog found not guilty of most charges

A Jeannette woman accused of robbery, theft and assault after she attempted to take back her own dog was found not guilty of most charges against her.

Cynthia Finch, a 30-year-old mother and college student, described herself as the “victim” of the situation, in which her dog watcher apparently took her red nose pit bull and gave him to someone else.

“I did everything I could to get my dog back,” Finch told the Tribune-Review.

Finch’s testimony during a nonjury trial in Westmoreland County court Tuesday was often emotional as she recalled the events that led up to her arrest.

In May 2021, Finch asked an acquaintance to watch her dog, Reese, for roughly three weeks. Finch believed the woman lived on her street with family but said she later found out she resided elsewhere.

After several weeks passed, Finch messaged the woman asking if she could pick up Reese. The woman responded strangely, Finch testified.

Finch then found out the woman no longer had Reese. Finch called the police and attempted to file a civil lawsuit but said the magistrate’s office did not accept the suit.

Over a month later, on Aug. 6, 2021, Finch was driving on Euclid Avenue in Greensburg when she saw a man walking a dog she believed to be Reese.

Finch told the court she parked her pickup, got out of the truck and called out Reese’s middle name, “Angelo.” The dog came running to her.

Finch said she and Reese were celebrating their reunion on the street when she felt someone hit her. She looked up to see the man standing over her.

A physical exchange ensued. Finch took off Reese’s collar and asked two bystanders, who were children, to open her truck door. The dog jumped into the truck and Finch drove away.

Finch said she asked bystanders to call the police during the incident. She called the police when she was in her truck.

More than three hours later, police showed up on her doorstep and arrested Finch. She spent a night in a jail cell, and Reese was returned to the man, who had registered the dog as an emotional support animal.

In addition to Finch, Reese’s current owner and a bystander testified at the nonjury trial.

During his closing argument, defense attorney Ken Noga said most people would have acted as Finch did.

Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani called Finch’s testimony “credible.” He found Finch not guilty of robbery, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property. She was found guilty of disorderly conduct and must pay a $300 fine.

Now that the trial is over, Finch said she hopes to get Reese back. This could involve a civil suit or mutual agreement between Finch and the dog’s current owner.