Gerbil starvation leads to animal neglect conviction, probation for Milwaukie woman

OREGON -- A Milwaukie woman who abandoned her pet gerbils and left them to die was convicted Friday of first-degree animal neglect and sentenced to five years probation.

Tara Rachel Davidson, 34, also was required by Clackamas County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Rastetter to perform 80 hours of community service . 

Davidson was evicted from her apartment and left two female Mongolian gerbils in the unit. She claimed she arranged for someone to care for her pets. An investigation revealed that the animals starved to death.

(The Oregonian - Oct 12, 2012)