Not guilty pleas entered by Little Hocking couple

OHIO -- A Little Hocking couple charged last month with animal abuse after humane officers rescued nearly 80 animals from their home have entered not guilty pleas and requested the assistance of a public defender.

The case against Vicki Gray, 55, and Willie Ross, 64, last known address of 3265 School House Road, will now be set for trial.

On Wednesday, Ross appeared for an arraignment in Marietta Municipal Court. Gray, who appeared Friday on related charges, sat with Ross in the courtroom but did not speak.

Deputies said when they were searching the couple's home on June 10 that almost everything inside was covered by feces and urine. The animals were said to be infested by fleas and some appeared to be malnourished. The home has since been deemed to be uninhabitable by the county health department.

Municipal Court Judge Janet Dyar-Welch asked Ross if he wanted to speak to an attorney prior to entering a plea.

"I'm pleading not guilty," he said.

"But do you want a lawyer?" Welch asked.

"Yes," Ross replied.

With that, Welch referred the man to the public defender's office. She had done the same on Friday for Gray, who was called in to court on a probation violation. Gray was also due in court for an arraignment Wednesday but Welch said she decided to handle both issues at once.

Gray's probation violation is related to the abuse case.

 

According to Marietta Municipal Court records, Gray was ordered to undergo counseling and to not have more than three pets after she was sentenced in January on charges related to an attempted theft of dog food.

Humane officers claim Gray has surrendered dozens of animals over the past few years. According to court documents, Gray called the humane society again June 9, asking if the shelter could help her by taking in six more dogs. The call aroused suspicion as shelter personnel knew she had been limited in January to keeping only three dogs.

Gray and Ross are each charged with five counts of animal abuse. Each charge carries a possible 90 day jail sentence and a $750 fine. Gray's alleged probation violation could add an additional 90 day jail sentence.

Ross and Gray declined to comment following Wednesday's arraignment.

Initially, officers requested the couple each be charged with 38 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. Ultimately, prosecutors decided to charge each with five counts.

 

In addition to 34 dogs, humane officers confiscated 11 birds, four rabbits, two ducks and 27 chickens from the home. All but a few of the dogs were inside the mobile home, along with the birds. The rest of the animals were caged outside, near the home.

Five puppies taken into custody have since died. Also, humane officers have learned three of the older dogs are pregnant.

During Friday's hearing, Gray signed away her rights to the animals. Humane society officials said they were not able to release any of the animals to permanent homes until notice was given from court officials.

"We did get that notice and the chickens and rabbits will stay where they are (with the families that agreed to foster them)," said shelter manager Steve Herron. "Four dogs will go to a rescue tomorrow and four or five more have people interested in adopting them."

Herron said the shelter currently has plenty of food and other supplies but could use cash donations to help buy medicine to vaccinate animals.

(The Marietta Times  - July 14, 2011)

Earlier:

• More Than 80 Animals Removed From Home