Gregg County's Adult Probation division terminated Kibbe, 51, this week after County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Rebecca Simpson sentenced Kibbe to one year deferred probation, 48 hours of community service and a $500 fine for animal cruelty, according to online court records.
 |
| Kimberly Gale Kibbe |
Kibbe pled guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor animal cruelty for failing "to provide necessary care or shelter" for seven cats and five dogs, according to court documents. She remained employed with the county since October, when a municipal judge ordered the seized animals into the care of the Northeast Texas Humane Society.
Neighbors at her Lafayette Drive home complained about odors from the residence, prompting city officials to investigate. Longview animal control officers reported finding dead kittens, a dead rabbit and a large amount of fecal matter within the home.
Kibbe's attorney, Steve Kattner, said Humane Society officials found no evidence the animals seized from her home were malnourished, according to a letter from the Humane Society's attorneys.
"The place should have been cleaner," Kattner said. "One of the animals had an upper respiratory infection, which is basically a cold."
County Judge Bill Stoudt confirmed Kibbe's firing. Though he was not involved in her termination, he believed probation officers in Gregg County must be clear of any criminal conviction.
(news-journal.com - July 16, 2010)
Earlier:
