A crowd of animal advocates packed the Lamoille County courthouse for the arraignments of Carol Merchant and Russell Goodell, who both are facing charges.
In February, an anonymous tip led Vermont State Police to raid Merchant's home, and inside, authorities say they found dehydrated, malnourished animals covered in feces and open sores.
Merchant claims she was saving them from kill shelters, but prosecutors say it was torture. In the end, she and her roommate, Goodell, voluntarily surrendered 73 dogs, three cats and a duck.
"Some dogs had to have parts of their bodies amputated because of severe infections," said Joanne Bourbeau, Vt. Humane Society director.
Bourbeau helped coordinate the rescue team and has followed Merchant's case to court.
Prosecutors allege the 57-year-old intentionally and maliciously tortured the animals, but she denied eight felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
Bourbeau says the animal community is pleased with such severe charges.
"I think it sends a very clear message that Vermonters take this very seriously and to see felony charges is very rare in an animal cruelty case here in Vermont, so very pleased to see that," said Bourbeau.
Goodell also lived in the home owned two dogs and was supposed to help Merchant care for the animals. He pleaded not guilty to six lesser charges of animal cruelty.
According to court papers, Merchant told police she was an animal rescuer who got in over her head. But it's not the first time she's been investigated by police. In 2014, she promised authorities she'd get her animals to a manageable level. Instead they seemed to double.
"It's animal cruelty no matter how you characterize what her intentions were," said Bourbeau.
Merchant still has four dogs and three cats living in her home. The court allowed her to keep them, but barred her from acquiring any new animals. She must also arrange vet checks every 10 days and allow an animal control officer to inspect her property if there are future suspicions of abuse.
Humane officers, like Deborah Loring, would like to see the state do more.
"We would like to see the state file a motion for forfeiture and the judge left them open," said Loring.
Merchant told the court she's already made arrangements with Lamoille Valley Vet Services for those 10 day vet checks.
WCAX called the animal hospital and management denies entering into any agreement with Merchant and questions whether she could afford the frequent house calls or if the facility even wants the job.
(WCAX - April 22, 2015)
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