Former township resident Ramona Burnett must also pay $249 in court fees and fines for failing to license her dogs.
The evening house fire happened on April 2. Investigators said it was caused by an unattended burning candle, exposed the puppies to thick smoke. They were rescued and treated on the front yard of the home by firefighters and paramedics. One puppy died, but the two people who lived in the rental property — Burnett being one of them — made it out safely.
Officials began investigating after finding so many dogs inside the home.
“It sounds like she was starting to hoard,” said township health officer Gary Guarino. “They were hers; they were her kids, and they started to get out of control.”
Animal Control Officer Belinda Ogitis said that all but one of the dogs rescued from the blaze have been removed and placed in other households, a condition of the pre-trial deal struck between officials and Burnett’s attorney that resulted in the cruelty charge being dropped.
“That was my requirement for not going to trial,” said Ogitis.
Guarino said that the township does not regulate how many dogs an individual can own.
“They were not abused — they were just in the basement,” he said, “(and they) were breeding them to death. I think they were just getting out of control.”
[...the dogs had been found in a 20-by-20-inch plywood box in the basement of the home, and that their feet were stained yellow — perhaps indicative of standing in urine or feces]
The dog that remains in Burnett’s possession will be subjected to routine checks by the township animal control office, according to court records. Ogitis said two spot checks in the one-year period will ensure that the dog is well cared for, has updated immunizations and is groomed.
Burnett did not return calls seeking comment.
Township Municipal Court Judge Charles Ouslander handed down the penalties at hearings on May 22 and Tuesday, bringing the matter to a close. There are no additional charges pending, Ogitis said.
Ogitis said her office had no trouble finding homes for the puppies, who received national attention after their rescue from the burning home.
(The Times - June 1, 2012)
