Virginia: Clara Collier, 77, found guilty of animal cruelty; over 500 animals seized

VIRGINIA -- A Louisa County woman was found guilty of animal cruelty charges for hoarding more than 500 animals on her farm.

One week after being rescued from what were deemed deplorable living conditions, experts said the animals were stronger, and healthier than ever.

“They are resilient, very resilient,” expressed Donnie Embrey, Team Leader of Community Animal Response Team (CART).

Court documents show the farm owner, 77-year-old Clara Mae Collier was charged with five counts of animal cruelty [as reported earlier, allegations include not taking care of a guinea pig which had had its eyeballs gouged out, animals with broken wings and legs, dead animals, sick animals, cruel inhumane living conditions, etc.].  She could have been sentenced up to 12 months for each charge.

However, on Thursday, the judge sentenced Collier to six months for each charge, totaling 30 months, with all 30 of those months suspended. She won’t serve anymore jail time.

Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire announced the county spent $7,500 to care for the animals and based on Collier’s finances, she will be able to perform 500 hours community service to satisfy the obligation.

In addition, Collier was sentenced to two years’ probation, agreed to no longer possess any animals other than two birds that she has owned for more than 30 years, and allow animal control to check on her to ensure she does not possess more animals and that the birds are being treated properly.

As for what made it possible to rehab, shelter, and feed hundreds of animals instantly, Embrey said, volunteers donated four to five thousand dollars’ worth of goods.

 

 

Local business owner Wesley Chiles of Chiles Enterprises Landscape, Tree & Turfcare  was part of that movement.

“You’ll see different people coming together and doing their part, whether it’s me bringing a water truck, or someone bringing dinner for the volunteers, or the volunteers themselves, it’s just a lot of different aspects coming together to make it all work which is what Louisa County is all about,” explained Chiles.

Many animals were saved from a situation where they were sick and dying, and rehabilitated for safe and healthy adoptions.

 

 

CART volunteers said the animals would start transferring to adoption shelters on Friday.

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Speaking on the case, McGuire said: “Mrs. Collier is an elderly woman who did not maliciously mistreat her animals. It was an unfortunate situation in which Mrs. Collier, who was attempting to care for these animals, lost control of the situation. 

"Unfortunately rather than reaching out for help Mrs. Collier allowed the situation to deteriorate to the point that several of the animals were left in cruel conditions, resulting in the charges to which Ms. Collier pled guilty.”

Major Donald Lowe, with the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office stated: “the incredible support from the community, local businesses, CART, our animal shelter, vets, volunteers and our county government was critical to the successful rescue and care of all of the animals. We all learned from this experience and are happy that the animals are safe and recovering. ”

 

 

Donnie Embry, head of the Louisa County chapter of Community Animal Response Team and the Louisa County Animal Task Force, stated: “Louisa CART believes this outcome is the best solution for the animals involved, the monitoring stipulation will prevent her from doing this again and with the newly formed Louisa County Animal Resources Task Force will assist in monitoring the situation, prepared to help in any we can. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for the outpouring of help we received from the animal loving citizens that made this operation a success.”

 

 

Edwin Consolvo, Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, who prosecuted this case with McGuire said: “As the weather turns colder it is important for animal owners to ensure that their animals are properly cared for.  For those needing assistance please contact authorities or local aid organizations for help.”

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Family upset with seizure 

However, family members of the woman who had been taking care of the animals disputed the decision to seize the menagerie.

“All the goats and all the animals were plenty fat, no ribs were showing on them,” Cecil Colna, whose mother owns the farm, argued. “My mother takes very good care of her animals.”

Colna said his aged mother was doing the best she could to care for the hundreds of animals.

“This is what she lives for. She’s 77 years old and she works two jobs to take care of the animals, I mean this is her life,” Colna said. “I’m afraid she might not make it after this.”

They probably all live in filth if this is their attitude. Their mother is allowed to keep two pet birds. It's not like she can't have any animals at all. They have no sympathy for the cruel conditions the animals were forced to live in, no sympathy for the guinea pig with its eyeballs gouged out, no sympathy for the animals with broken legs and wings, no sympathy for the animals that suffered so badly they finally died in that hellhole. This family sucks.

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(WTVR - December 7, 2017)

Earlier:

• Virginia: Louisa County Sheriff's Office Rescuing Hundreds of Animals from Clara Collier's Farm