Patricia A. Hardi (aka Patty Hardi), 62, was charged April 26 with cruelty to animals and three counts Class B misdemeanor violation of animal owner duties after 90 cats were found in two adjacent homes she owns.
Defense attorney Larry Vandersnick said his client had been the animal control officer or warden for Orion until a new mayor let her go, but people kept bringing animals to her when she no longer had the job.
He said Ms. Hardi already had 10 cats and five dogs when Orion passed an ordinance limiting residents to three dogs and three cats. He said she wanted to get a kennel license, but instead the village said they would allow her to keep those animals. He said only three cats are in her house now, with seven in the garage where there's a shop. He said the five dogs have not been an issue.
Reviewing meeting minutes, however, Orion village staff found the exception to the three-animal limit for Ms. Hardi dated to an April 21, 2014 board meeting when she was allowed to keep existing dogs and cats for their natural lives with the requirement that as they pass on, the new limit allowed by village code would never be exceeded. They said she was no longer animal warden at that time.
In May of this year, after being charged, she agreed to the forfeiture of all but four of the cats and three rabbits, and part of that order stipulated that neither she nor anyone in her household could adopt any of the forfeited animals.
In exchange for her guilty plea to the animal cruelty charge on Wednesday, she was sentenced to 24 months probation, court costs, continued mental health treatment and $5,000 in restitution to the Orion Veterinary Clinic by August 25 for their costs of impoundment and care.
She was ordered to take her 10 cats and five dogs to her own veterinarian within 10 days. She may keep them provided they have a clean bill of health, or surrender within 10 days if not. The negotiated agreement also includes random inspections by Henry County Animal Control to verify compliance with the order.
The probation order also stipulated that she will be allowed to find homes for four other cats and three rabbits of hers which were already turned over to the Orion Veterinary Clinic—if she cannot find homes for them in 10 days, the clinic will do so. At least one may have to be euthanized.
Judge Dana McReynolds accepted the negotiated plea.
I don't see anywhere that she is being required to get mental health counseling for her hoarding. Without mental health intervention, the recidivism rate for hoarders is 100%.
(QOnline - Aug 17, 2016)
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