Sunday, July 19, 2015

Linda Browning Stewart charged with animal cruelty after 12 animals found without sufficient food, water

ALABAMA -- A woman accused of leaving multiple animals alone with out sufficient water, food or shelter has been arrested and is facing charges including animal cruelty.

Linda Browning Stewart, 52, of Andrew Jackson Road was arrested earlier this week after Alexander City Animal Control officers completed an investigation on a call that took place on June 16.

Officers Kelly Cotney and Ken Vernon responded to a call from a neighbor who said that animals were being neglected at the address.

The immediately found a dog chained to a tree without adequate shelter, food or water. They found four other dogs running loose, seriously underweight and covered in fleas. Many of the dogs had skin disorders. A cat and a rabbit inside a pen were found, also underweight, and both suffered from skin conditions, according to the police report.

Officers gave the animals water and food.

Officers continued to check on the animals and on a return trip after Stewart was home, a search found a dog and her four puppies closed in a bedroom without electricity, all suffering from dehydration, reports indicate.

Also inside the house, officers located a cage that had a frog and two lizards dead from apparent starvation, according to the report.

Stewart told officers that she didn’t intend to abandon the animals, but had “unforeseen circumstances” arise that kept her away.

Stewart is facing 12 felony counts of cruelty to animals as well as charges to have animals immunized. She was also charged with utility diversion or tampering after officers found utility service working despite it being turned off by city officials.

Stewart was taken into custody and has been released on bond.

This is not the first felony case of cruelty that the Alexander City Police had faced recently. Last June, collie breeder Nicholas Patterson, was arrested and went on the run after officials found several purebred show dogs neglected, starting and some already dead.

Patterson plead guilty to nine count of animal abuse and three counts of financial transaction card fraud in March. Under the agreement, Patterson will get 10 years on each of nine of the abuse counts and three years on each of the fraud charges. In accordance with sentencing guidelines, Patterson’s time on the abuse charges will be split, two years to serve and eight on probation.  All of the sentences will run concurrently. The time given on the fraud charges will also run along with the abuse sentences.

Patterson will serve two years, with credit for time served and then face eight years of probation. Under the terms he will never be allowed to own an animal again.

(The Alexander City Outlook - Jul 15, 2015)

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