Jane Embry, 57, of Magnolia, was arraigned in LaRue County District Court last Wednesday with District Judge C. Derek Reed presiding. Embry was appointed a public defender and she entered a not-guilty plea to 60 charges of cruelty to animals.
According to police reports, Embry originally was charged with 60 counts of animal cruelty during an initial inspection Dec. 8 to determine if she was in compliance with LaRue County’s kennel ordinance.
At that time, officials found 60 animals at the home along with dried animal feces and urine throughout the residence. They also found two dogs in Embry’s care that were missing hair, had open sores, were underweight and infested with fleas.
Once officials arrived to search the residence and rescue the animals Dec. 11, they found 102 animals at the home. Thirteen animals were euthanized on site because of illness and aggressiveness. Several other cats also were found dead in a freezer inside the home.
As a result of pleading not guilty and not accepting a plea deal, County Attorney Kyle Williamson said he would add on the extra 42 counts of cruelty to animals for a total of 102 counts of animal cruelty.
However, the number is not a final count as several other cats still were reportedly hiding inside the walls and crawlspaces of Embry’s home as rescuers were unable to get to them.
Williamson requested that the LaRue County dog warden trap and capture the feral cats that remained at the home. Once the cats are captured, Williamson said each rescued cat will be added to the total counts of animal cruelty against Embry. The number of feral cats that were captured was unknown at the time.
Embry also agreed to donate a large amount of the dog and cat food to the shelters that are taking care of the animals. Approximately 1,000 pounds of dry animal food and approximately 1,700 cans of animal food were donated. The animals are being held at Barktown Rescue in Nelson County, the Logan County Humane Society and Jessamine County Animal Control.
Embry also agreed to forfeit all the animals that were removed from her residence and the animals have been released into the ownership of the shelters who accepted them. Williamson said the animals originally were seized as evidence in the case when Embry was arrested.
As a result of housing the animals as evidence, LaRue County Fiscal Court has paid expenses for the animals including food, health care and medications, among other items. LaRue County Judge-Executive Tommy Turner said the county has been billed approximately $13,500 since the rescue.
Embry’s trial is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 3 in LaRue County District Court.
(The News Enterprise - Dec 24, 2015)
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