Those charges are misdemeanors and were downgraded from the original four counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty.
Initial investigation
Nicole Hulbig, founder of RRR Service Dogs, claimed she rescued dogs from kill shelters and trained them to be service dogs for disabled veterans and children. Four decomposing dogs were found by a landlord in the garage of a home she rented with her husband, Eric Hulbig, on June 4.
That discovery led Montgomery County Animal Control officers to contact Sumner County Animal Control, where Nicole Hulbig’s mother lives.
Officers searched a barn Nicole Hulbig used for her operation and found 37 bags of dog remains and 39 live dogs in extremely poor condition. She was originally charged with eight counts of animal cruelty there.
Court appearances
Both Hulbigs appeared in Montgomery County court in August for a preliminary hearing on the aggravated animal cruelty charges, and Judge Raymond Grimes heard the state’s evidence and “reluctantly” bound the case over to a grand jury.
The November grand jury downgraded the Montgomery County charges to four counts of animal cruelty.
According to Tennessee law, a person commits animal cruelty if he or she intentionally tortures, maims or grossly overworks an animal; fails to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter; or unreasonably abandons an animal in their care.
Aggravated cruelty applies to conduct which is carried out in a depraved and sadistic manner and which tortures or maims an animal, including the failure to provide food and water to a companion animal resulting in a substantial risk of death or death.
Indictments
According to the indictments, both Hulbigs “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly did abandon unreasonably (animals) in the defendants’ custody.”
The indictments say two dogs were found dead in a crate near the garage door of 3300 North Henderson Way and two others were found dead in a wire crate in the rear of the garage.
The Hulbigs’ attorneys had argued that there is no proof that the couple caused the dog’s death or that the remains found inside the cages were even dogs. The remains were thrown away after it was determined they were too decomposed to send to a lab for testing.
Public outcry
The Hulbigs’ case has drawn a number of animal advocates to demonstrate outside the courthouses in Montgomery County and Sumner County when the Hulbigs appear in court.
All of the live dogs taken from the Sumner County barn have been reunited with owners, adopted out or placed with other pet rescues. Twelve were so emaciated that a grand jury there indicted Nicole Hulbig on the original eight counts of animal cruelty and added four more.
Both Eric and Nicole Hulbig also face felony vandalism charges in the Montgomery County case for allegedly leaving the rented home in such deplorable conditions that repairs cost more than $25,000.
They are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in that case Dec. 2.
An indictment means a grand jury found reason for the case to move forward but is not proof of guilt.
(Clarksville Leaf Chronicle - Nov 8, 2014)
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