Woman facing fine and jail for alleged animal cruelty appears in court

OKLAHOMA --  A woman charged last week with animal cruelty appeared Thursday in Garfield County District Court for arraignment.

Tammy Roberta Barker, 37, faces a fine up to $500 and/or up to five years imprisonment if convicted of the felony charge. She appeared in court free on $2,500 bond.

Barker was ordered to return to court March 24 for a bond appearance.

The charge accuses Barker of “willfully depriving five cats and two dogs necessary food, drink, shelter or veterinary care to prevent suffering” on or about Dec. 18, 2013.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Officer Sean Dyer was sent at 4:16 p.m. Dec. 18 to 3102 N. 6th to assist Enid Animal Control officers.

Dyer noted in his affidavit seeing a white male pit bull chained to a tree in the south driveway of the residence. The pit bull had shelter but no food or water.

"The pit bull looked malnourished and was trying to eat animal feces that were scattered throughout the driveway,” the affidavit states.

Dyer also found a black female Labrador and tan male Chihuahua inside a chainlink fence on the west side of the property. There also was a fourth dog, a white and brindle female pit bull, inside the property. Dyer also saw five cats inside the property sitting on a window sill.

Dyer also found dead a black male Chihuahua inside the fence of the property, according to the affidavit.

Animal Control Officer David Handley told Dyer he and Officer Keith Siragusa were at the residence the day before. Handley said he had spoken with the owners on several occasions, and they refused to provide adequate food and water to the animals.

Dyer obtained a search warrant for 3102 N. 6th for removal of the animals.

Handley and Animal Control Officer William Breeze removed the animals that were outside the property.

Dyer announced their presence and knocked on the door but no one answered. The residence was locked. Dyer made entry by breaching a door and entered the residence with Handley.

Dyer noted in the affidavit there was animal feces all over the floors and trash covering a majority of the floor. There was an open bag of dog food that contained a small amount of food.

Handley removed the pit bull and five cats from the residence. The cats were located in a room that was closed off from the small amount of dog food.

Handley put the food into a dog kennel, which all the cats entered into, and they began eating.

(Enid News - Feb 13, 2014)

Earlier:

• Arrest warrant is issued for Enid woman