The charge came after a high school track player and two high school staff members were bitten last month by a dog on the property.
The property owner, Shirley Hatfield (aka Shirley Mae Hatfield-Miller), pleaded guilty in 2009 to two misdemeanor offenses related to animal abuse. She defended herself in an interview with KCTV5.
"I did my best," she said. "I paid more in dog food a month than I did my land payment just because I couldn't' find homes for these dogs."
"I did my best," she said. "I paid more in dog food a month than I did my land payment just because I couldn't' find homes for these dogs."
She said she did not want the dogs destroyed. She said she is relieved that Wayside Waifs has taken them in.
Wayside Waifs said Monday that two trips were needed to rescue the dogs from "an animal hoarding situation." Wayside Waifs responded at the request of the Andrew County Sheriff's Department.
"Most of the animals were being housed outside in filthy sheds and out buildings," the no-kill shelter said in a news release. "They have spent their entire lives outside with minimal access to clean water and food. The animals have also had very limited interaction with people. Many of the mixed breed dogs are showing visible signs of illness, including mange."
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| Dozens of dogs were being hoarded on this property |
Veterinarians are assessing the dogs' conditions and will provide the needed treatment, officials said.
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| Dogs were locked in filthy sheds |
Hatfield said the dogs are strays she has rescued who instinctively come to her residence because they "think this is home."
She said she regrets that three people were bitten by one of her dogs.
"I didn't mean for that child to get bitten and I did get rid of all my animals because of it," she said.
[She did NOT 'get rid of' her animals b/c a child was bitten. The authorities SEIZED THE ANIMALS FROM HER. There's a big difference.]
Andrew County Sheriff Bryan Atkins did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
One of Hatfield's neighbors, Brenda Hoyt, said Hatfield means well when it comes to animals.
"She just has a big heart. She tries to take care of them. It's just too much for her," Hoyt said. "She has health issues. She has her heart in the right place, but she just doesn't have the funds or the means to do it."
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| Brenda Hoyt: animal abuse enabler |
[She is a hoarder, plain and simple. People want to excuse this behavior, 'Oh she just wanted to help them and was overwhelmed.' - NO, NO, NO. This is an issue of selfishness. She didn't care what conditions the animals lived in, she just wanted to make herself feel good. "I saved them from death! The shelter would've put them to sleep. No one wanted them. I'm the hero! They rely on me!"
She was hauled into court on animal cruelty charges TWICE in 2009. She pleaded guilty in June 2009 and then was again in court, pleading guilty, in August 2009. Hoarding has an almost 100% recidivism rate -- she will continue to do this over and over again.
Why make excuses for her? If these were children instead of dogs, would the neighbors and family members still defend her? "Yes, the children were full of intestinal parasites and sleeping in urine and feces-soaked beds, but her heart was in the right place. She just loves children and wants to save as many as she can!"]
Wayside Waifs said the dogs will soon be available for adoption.
(KCTV - Nov 21, 2011)
On a side note, it appears Ms Hatfield-Miller aka Ms Hatfield has an active arrest warrant out for her for a traffic issue:
"This is a list of Municipal Court active arrest warrants.
Name and age: HATFIELD-MILLER, SHIRLEY MAE. 49
Warrant Type: Appearance
Violation: FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN TURNING
Bond: $139.00
Warrant Number: 02-2047736 2209.0
Release Condition: APPEARANCE WARRANT-BOND $139.00 CASH ONLY
