NORTH CAROLINA -- Two dogs and two birds.
That's what Castle Hayne woman Anita Brown is allowed to bring home after a plea agreement in her case was reached Tuesday in New Hanover County District Court.
Brown, 45, pleaded guilty to JUST ONE misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge and a town ordinance violation in connection with the 43 dogs and 54 birds found Oct. 16 on her property at 107 Fairford Road.
Authorities said many of the animals will now be adopted out through rescue groups.
Judge James H. Faison also fined Ms. Brown $6,500 for expenses incurred by the county in caring for the 97 dogs and birds, placed her on five years' supervised probation and prohibited further visits to the animal shelter.
Other probation terms stipulate that Ms. Brown not acquire any more animals and that she receive a psychological assessment. Her home will be subject to unannounced visits by probation or animal control officers.
"I was basically given an ultimatum. It was my house or this deal. They had me up against $60,000 in fines," Ms. Brown said later.
The cost of caring for the dogs and birds at the county Animal Control Services shelter has exceeded $60,000, Assistant District Attorney Charity Hicks said, adding that the $6,500 fine reflects a reasonable share of those expenses.
Ms. Brown appeared last month in District Court, and a plea agreement that would have allowed her to keep three dogs and three birds was not approved by Chief District Court Judge John Carroll III. Tuesday's plea agreement averted a trial.
The animal cruelty plea indicates neglect and Ms. Brown being "overwhelmed" by the animals, not mistreatment, Ms. Hicks said.
"I believe it was more of a hoarding phenomenon going on," she said. "One person cannot responsibly care for 97 animals. It's too big of a job. Physically, one person cannot keep up with all the things they need."
Most of the dogs are whippets or Shetland sheepdogs (Shelties). Among the birds are several types of parrots and cockatiels. Ms. Brown said she kept dogs on her property since moving there in 1984.
Of those taken Oct. 16 by animal control, 12 were recently dropped off for rescue and another 12 were puppies, Ms. Brown said.
A woman who left a whippet there to be bred and tried to take it back a year later after it had puppies initiated the complaints against her, she said.
Neighbors of Ms. Brown made numerous complaints to Animal Control Services before a warrant was obtained to go on the property, agency Director Jean McNeil said. Some of the dogs are receiving treatment for heartworms, but the overall health of the animals is good, she said.
"We've once again made a stand against people who don't take proper care of their animals, and we hope that sends a message," Ms. McNeil said.
Ms. Brown said she knows people who would take the dogs and birds, but is prohibited from making arrangements.
She claims the value of the cages, AKC-registered dogs, puppies and birds kept by animal control exceeds $25,000, but money isn't a primary concern.
"They promised me today they were not going to put any of them down, but I can't check on any of them," Ms. Brown said. "They won't let me know."
Ms. Brown has been on medical disability for more than a year because of a back injury. Under her probation terms, she cannot breed any more animals or continue rescue work. She hopes to pick up the two whippets and two parrots allowed in the plea agreement from the animal shelter this week after one of the dogs is spayed.
Ms. Brown said she will continue to worry about the dogs and birds left behind.
"It's just so horrible. I feel so bad for those animals. I love them with all my heart," she said.
(Star News Online - Feb 4, 2004)
