NEW BREMEN — A woman convicted in 2003 of cruelty to animals for burning her dog with a hot item or caustic liquid has been charged with doing it again.

Michelle K. Pressnall, 43, of 7282 River Road, town of New Bremen, was charged Thursday by Lewis County sheriff's deputies with cruelty to animals and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

She allegedly put the substance on the dog's back, causing permanent damage to it's skin. Police said that while they were investigating the animal complaint, they also found a rifle and a shotgun, which she is not supposed to have because she was convicted of a felony in 2003.

She pleaded guilty in March 2003 in Lewis County Court to a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals after being accused of putting a caustic substance on her German shepherd. She entered an Alford plea, meaning she did not admit that she committed a crime.

In a statement to police at the time of the earlier incident, Ms. Pressnall said she had to have her dog euthanized because of a skin condition that caused a loss of hair and open sores. She felt her dog "got into something" when she left him at a friend's home in Harrisville for a couple of days a few months before.

She was arraigned on the latest charges in Town Court and sent to Lewis County Jail, Lowville, on $1,500 bail.