Friday, June 17, 2016

Colorado: Lynn Kubic, 55, and her husband Kenneth Kubic, 62, found guilty of animal cruelty

COLORADO -- Three owners of an exotic pet store in Thornton that was raided on suspicion of neglect of the animals have been found guilty.

Lynn Kubic, 55, owner of Jurassic Pets in Thornton, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty in Adams County Court.


Charges were filed against Kubic, her husband, Kenneth Kubic, 62, and their son Brian Kubic, 22 in March 2015 after an investigation by the Thornton Police Department after complaints were received about gross neglect of animals at the store.

Authorities raided the Thornton store at 10380 Washington St., executing a search warrant in December 2014.

 
 

Witnesses during the trial of Kenneth Kubic testified about kittens, hedgehogs, reptiles and rodents confined to filthy enclosures without adequate food and water, and needing veterinary care, according to the 17th District Attorney’s Office. Several of the animals subsequently died.

Scott Larsen, vice president of the Denver Zoo who examined animals at the store, testified that a number of them were so dehydrated and emaciated that they had to be euthanized. He said depending on the species, it would take weeks to months of neglect for the animals to reach that condition.

According to a PETA news release, video footage and photographs showed Jurassic Pets staff routinely denied animals water and that Lynn Kubic attempted to kill a pet rat by “whacking” him against a wooden board, and denied a hedgehog adequate veterinary care for months for a badly infected eye.

 
Turtles left to rot in filthy rancid water

Lynn Kubic will be sentenced July 27.

Kenneth Kubic was convicted of 18 counts of animal cruelty after his trial in May. Brian Kubic pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. They will be sentenced June 29.

(KDVR - June 15, 2016)