Christina Fay (aka Maria Christina Fay, Tina Fay), 59, is facing 12 misdemeanor charges of animal abuse, alleging alternate theories of cruelty or "suffering of any kind" or being negligent in their care.
The defense asserts that the affidavit in support of the search warrant requested authority only for officer Michael Strauch and Wolfeboro police to search Fay's 149 Warren Sands Road home.
The defense further contends that Strauch never asked for permission for the HSUS to take photographs or make video recordings of the dogs and the property.
The state, the defense argues, did not seek court permission to allow HSUS "to convert said photographs and videos into pro-HSUS propaganda, or used the same in any national campaigns."
"The HSUS clearly benefited from being at the search warrant execution, their presence was never authorized by the court, and allowing this unlawful procedure would set a very dangerous precedent," the defense motion reads.
Allowing the HSUS to participate, the defense argues, only served the private interests of the animal welfare group and not those of law enforcement and as a result the search warrant should be declared invalid.
Oral arguments are scheduled to be held before Judge Charles Greenhalgh in the 3rd Circuit Court District Division-Ossipee on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Greenhalgh also will hear arguments by a lawyer representing two women who are fighting defense efforts to make them testify.
A Bartlett veterinarian and one of her assistants are asking a judge to invalidate the subpoenas compelling them to take the witness stand in the trial of one of their clients.
Attorney William Albrecht of Conway is representing Dr. Kate Battenfelder and Stephanie Maycomber. In court pleadings, Albrecht says his clients will invoke their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent if called to testify.
Albrecht claims his clients have a busy veterinary practice to run and were given less than a week's notice to appear in court on days surgeries and other appointments with clients are scheduled.
The subpoena orders the women to bring "any and all" information they have regarding the case. True North Veterinary Hospital records include examinations on some 80 dogs owned by Fay, but only a fraction of those are involved in the criminal charges, Albrecht asserts.
In the motion to quash, Albrecht cites an affidavit by lead investigator Strauch that states Dr. Battenfelder's examination of and issuance of health certificates for certain dogs later seized and examined by another veterinarian resulted in contradictory findings regarding the health of the animals.
Albercht said veterinary technician Maycomber assists Dr. Battenfelder in the examination of animals and documentation of their health. As such, if called to the stand she also will refuse to answer questions, he said.
The only reason Kate Battenfelder would take the 5th is if she were falsifying documents - and colluding with Tina Fay in her puppy mill business. Why else would you refuse to testify in her trial? If you were honest and had done nothing wrong, bring your documents and tell the court what you know -- you don't have any dog in the fight so to speak with Tina Fay and the state prosecutor's office. However, if you were GUILTY of something you would refuse to testify, which would incriminate yourself. I hope the AVMA is looking into this.
(Union Leader - Oct 23, 2017)
Earlier:
- New Hampshire: Tina Fay is arrested and 84 Great Danes are rescued from squalid $1.45 million dollar mansion-'turned puppy mill' covered in feces and littered with rotting raw chicken
- New Hampshire: Wolfeboro Police Chief Dean Rondeau describes the horrific sights and smells inside Tina Fay's mansion where 75 neglected Great Danes were being hoarded
- New Hampshire: Tina Fay facing up to 200 neglect charges after 84 Great Danes seized from her property in Wolfeboro
- New Hampshire: Affidavit describes conditions at Tina Fay's Great Dane breeding facility
- New Hampshire: The signs of animal abuse were there at Tina Fay's house, if you looked
- New Hampshire: Veterinarian's signature contradicts medical exams on Great Danes in Tina Fay animal cruelty case
- New Hampshire: Charged with animal cruelty, Christina Fay demanding return of her Great Danes
- New Hampshire: Prosecutors argue Great Danes are evidence in animal cruelty case against Tina Fay
- New Hampshire: Tina Fay's attorney claims she is an "attentive dog owner". Would he like to take his family to have a sleepover at her squalid mansion?
- New Hampshire: Great Dane dog breeder Tina Fay trying to get search warrant thrown out; her attorneys disparage witnesses
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