LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington woman has been found guilty of second-degree animal cruelty after neglecting a pit bull mix in 2023, LEX 18 News reports.

Lakesha R. Coney, 49, was convicted Friday in Fayette County District Court and sentenced to a $250 fine. Crews with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control responded to an animal welfare check at a Pine Straw Court residence in 2023 and discovered a pit bull mix without access to food, water, or shelter. The dog was visibly shaking from cold outdoor temperatures.

When officers asked about the dog, Coney initially denied owning the animal. Nearby residents, however, confirmed that she owned the dog, named Prince Ali. Coney was charged with second-degree animal cruelty on March 20, 2023, and held on a $1,000 cash bond pending trial.

Since his rescue, Prince Ali has been adopted into a new home and has recovered significantly. Photos show the dog has gained healthy weight over the three years since his rescue, according to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control.

"These are the outcomes we work for. No animal should ever be subjected to neglect. Ali's story is exactly why we do what we do," the agency wrote in a social media post.

Animal abuse or neglect can be reported to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control at (859) 255-9033. Kentucky law classifies second-degree animal cruelty as a Class B misdemeanor, which can include failure to provide necessary food, water, or shelter.