Marcia Hupp, 59, appeared before DiSalle to appeal her initial guilty plea in the case. Hupp was cited in October after more than 40 dogs were discovered in two homes Hupp owned during a search by Washington Area Humane Society in April.
Hupp faced nearly 60 citations filed by a humane officer, which led to an agreement before District Judge Ethan Ward whereby she pleaded guilty to one charge each of animal cruelty, failure to obtain a state license to operate a kennel and failure to have proof of her dogs’ rabies vaccinations.
The remaining citations were withdrawn under that agreement.
During Monday’s hearing, DiSalle heard testimony from the humane officer assigned to the case and Hupp. The humane officer, Logan Wade, said there were feces and urine on the floors of the homes and animals were kept in cages and appeared overweight.
An air test was performed in the homes and determined the residences weren’t healthy. Photographs from the day of the search were presented in court.
Wade testified the state Department of Agriculture is involved with the case and working with Hupp to reduce the number of dogs at each home.
Hupp testified she lives at the Weaver Run Road residence in Amwell Township and visited the other home, on Zelt Street in North Franklin, twice a day to feed and exercise the animals and clean.
Hupp said the homes were old, and the floors were discolored and peeling. She said many of the dogs were older and accidents did occur in the homes. Hupp and Wade testified she had “pee pads” scattered throughout the rooms where she kept the animals.
She said the dogs were removed from the Zelt residence.
After an hour and a half of testimony, DiSalle found Hupp guilty and ordered her to pay a $300 fine for each count.
Hupp runs a volunteer animal rescue group named Marcia’s Muttley Crew, according to its Facebook page. It has rescued llamas, horses, goats and snakes, the site indicates.
(Observer Reporter - Dec 25, 2014)
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