Rhonda Bernard, 57, of Fountain, pleaded guilty to a single child abuse charge and one animal cruelty charge. In exchange for her plea, 49 other animal cruelty charges were dropped. She remains free on $1,500 bail and will return to court Nov. 25 for sentencing in front of County Judge Norm Cooling.
According to an affidavit, agents from the Colorado Humane Society and the Dumb Friends League assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office deputies in removing 29 animals from Bernard’s vacant residence in the 200 block of Garden Drive Aug. 22.
When first contacted by Sgt. Megan Richards after neighbors reported abandoned animals in the home, Bernard voluntarily took 23 Chihuahuas to the Humane Society of Fremont County Aug. 14.
The child abuse charge refers to Bernard’s 10-year-old son who also lived in the home up until she and the boy moved to Fountain. Local Department of Human Services officials referred the case to El Paso County authorities after viewing the home. T
he home allegedly was littered with trash, food, junk and animal urine and feces, according to sheriff reports, forcing authorities to wear hazardous materials suits and respirators while they worked to remove the remaining animals.
(The Chieftan - Oct 16, 2013)
Earlier:
No comments:
Post a Comment