Witnesses said 61-year-old Dayna Kristine Bell, owner of Bells Kennels, drowned puppies in a pool and a bucket, and investigators found 10 dogs stored in plastic bags inside a freezer chest on her property.
”The abuse of animals in the manner alleged in this criminal complaint is unconscionable,” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
On September 27, 2011, the Dakota County sheriff’s office received a report of cruelty and maltreatment of animals by Bell. A witness reported Bell had drowned puppies and other dogs, and said she also saw Bell tie a rope attached to a cinder block around the neck of a small dog and throw the dog and block into a pool.
After suffering a "little bite" from a dog, Bell also told that same witness, "That mother f----- will never bother any of us again. I broke its damn neck."
Another witness told police Bell had put a puppy in a bucket of water and then placed another bucket on top of that to hold the puppy down. Bell told a third witness the puppy, which had been born a week earlier, was not doing well and she didn’t want to see it suffer.
When executing a search warrant on Sept. 29, 2011, on the Bells Kennel property, investigators found 10 small breed adult dogs in the freezer chest. Humane Society Investigator Keith Streff was there when deputies served the warrant, and he says the animals found in the freezer likely suffered for several minutes before dying.
"Any large or medium-sized animal is going to struggle anywhere from one to four minutes," Streff said. "That fear, anxiety and pain will be reflected in dying -- and it's illegal in Minnesota. We intend to prove it."
Officers believed the dogs had been wet when placed in the freezer based upon the appearance of their fur. Other items of evidence were also recovered, including a bucket and a cinder block with a rope tied to it.
Bell and the kennel’s primary veterinarian both denied any knowledge of the dogs in the freezer, and Bell's husband told FOX 9 News his wife is incapable of doing the things she's been accused of.
"Scientific proof will prove that it's a case based on lies," David Johnson said.
The criminal complaint cites three former employees who claim they saw Bell drown puppies that were injured or too sick to survive, but her husband says they were disgruntled and the case is the result of a personal vendetta.
"It's somebody that's trying to get even with her," he said.
Bell made her first court appearance Tuesday morning after turning herself in. She has since posted bail.
(Fox9 - April 17, 2012)
