MISSOURI -- Velma Muessemeyer, aka the “Rabbit Lady” was given a suspended sentence and placed on probation for two years last month after she earlier was found guilty of animal abuse.
However, Muessemeyer, 77, of Parkway Village, must supply proof during the probation period that the animals she cares for on her property are in good health.
Franklin County Circuit Court Associate Judge Stan Williams issued the ruling.
“This was a deal we had worked out,” Prosecuting Attorney Bob Parks told The Missourian this week. “If she doesn’t comply, she will be found in contempt.”
Muessemeyer, who originally was facing nearly two dozen animal abuse charges, must bring a veterinarian to her property to inspect all of her animals within 60 days of the ruling and then every six months during her probation period.
“She has to make sure she is in compliance with federal health regulations,” Parks said.
In September, Muessemeyer was found guilty on one count of animal abuse during her bench trial. Williams also found her not guilty on four counts. He took another two counts under advisement, and those counts were ruled on last month.
Parks said the one guilty verdict was issued relating to a house cat. The two other charges on the table were for a rooster and a rabbit, he said.
Muessemeyer originally was facing 21 animal abuse charges, but 14 of them were dropped by Parks leading up to the bench trial.
In late 2013, authorities seized 253 animals from her home at 1317 Parkway Drive.
On that day, authorities, including members of the Missouri Humane Society’s Animal Cruelty Task Force, removed the animals that included 192 domestic rabbits, 25 goats, 10 cats, 21 chickens, four dogs and a duck.
All of the animals were living in filthy conditions, according to a humane society press release.
The information stated that the rabbits were housed in raised wire-bottom cages with feces piled in the cages as well as more than a foot under the cages. Many of the cages were encrusted with dirt and hair and had little to no shelter from the weather. Most cages held multiple rabbits, and as many as 10 rabbits were crammed in each of several cages.
Also, it stated that water for many of the animals was frozen, dirty and contaminated with feces. The goats appeared to be suffering from an upper respiratory illness. The cats and other animals which were inside a home on the property also were living in extremely filthy conditions.
The animals had received little to no veterinary care, the release stated.
Parks said that when they were seized, a number of the animals were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized.
In March, a motion to suppress evidence was denied after Muessemeyer, through her attorney, Taylor Goodale, claimed the 2013 search was improper.
Muessemeyer could have been fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to up to a year in jail for each guilty verdict.
According to court documents, she was assessed $116.50 in costs.
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| Dave Tobben says this isn't cruel confinement |
In December 2013, Associate Circuit Judge Dave Tobben, after hearing testimony and arguments from both sides, ordered 252 animals returned to Muessemeyer.
Tobben, in his ruling, noted that while the state’s experts stated that “generally there was indication of neglect,” and that some of the animals were underweight and/or ill, “there was no evidence that the vast majority of the animals were in danger.”
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| Free to continue to abuse animals, thanks to Dave Tobben |
Muessemeyer has told The Missourian that she raises rabbits for sale, and she denied that the animals were housed in unsanitary conditions.
(Missourian - Dec 5, 2015)
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