Pa. man sentenced for putting fish hooks, razor blade in dog treats

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to placing fish hooks and a razor blade in dog treats, injuring at least one dog who ate the food.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta announced that Joseph Janko-Hudson, 47, of Easton entered a guilty plea after being charged with cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals.

The investigation began on Feb. 8, 2026, when police responded to the 400 block of Northampton Street in Easton for a report of small dog treats containing embedded fishing hooks. The witness told police they were walking a dog in the area when they found six pieces of dog food with fish hooks concealed inside each piece.

Police reviewed surveillance video which showed a man – later identified as Janko-Hudson – walking in the area, taking items from his pocket and placing them along Northampton Street. Officers also found more dog treats with fishhooks inside after returning to the area.

Janko-Hudson was then arrested and charged.

On Feb. 17, 2026, Easton Police received a report that a dog had ingested a treat containing a razor blade. The dog treat was spotted along the 300 block of Northampton Street. The dog’s owner also found other treats in the area. The dog who ate the treat was injured and required veterinary care, including two surgeries. The dog has since recovered and Janko-Hudson was charged with an additional count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

On April 9, 2026, Janko-Hudson pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to one to two years in state prison followed by three years of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the owner of the injured dog and is prohibited from owning or controlling animals for seven years.