New Jersey: Officials find nearly 200 birds in 'hoarding' situation

NEW JERSEY -- Nearly five years ago, Luis Sejas, a Market Street business owner, was bludgeoned by a man bearing a hammer or a machete – knocked out cold while his cash register was looted of $1,500.

To help him cope with the trauma of a serious injury and the robbery, a doctor told the now 65-year-old Sejas to take up a hobby, he said. So he harkened back to his childhood days in Bolivia, where he loved bird-watching, and he decided to adopt a two exotic birds of his own, caring for them in the back of his bicycle repair shop.

What started with just a few pet birds spiraled out of control in the five years since, culminating in an emergency rescue operation on Monday where volunteers removed nearly 200 birds, many of them exotic breeds, from deplorable conditions.

The rescuers found mice scurrying about, cockroach-infested nesting boxes and birds living in cramped, less-than-ideal living quarters of the shop’s back room. Cockatiels were stuffed 16 to a cage made for two, while two Amazon yellow-naped parrots were living in a small crate.

The business owner, who has not been charged with a crime, said he meant well for the birds. And for him and his partner of 20 years, the rescue operation was a heart-wrenching ordeal.

“This is torture for me,” he said in Spanish, inhaling a deep breath while tears welled in his eyes. “To see the empty room is really difficult for me. It used to always make me happy to go in there.”

More than 100 cockatiels, about 40 mourning doves, and dozens of other birds — including a cockatoo, four Amazon parrots and eight sun conure parakeets — were discovered in the back room of the business after a series of city inspections last week, authorities said.

Some 30 wire cages were stacked one atop the other, some reaching the ceiling of the back kitchen.

Luis Vazquez, an officer with the Passaic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said charges against the business owner “may be pending.” He described the situation as a “hoarding case turned into a rescue.” Vazquez said though the couple was breeding birds in the shop’s backroom, there is no evidence they were selling them.

Sejas called the animals his “therapy birds,” Vazquez said. He and his partner cooperated by surrendering the birds to rescue groups.

For as bad as the conditions were, rescuers said the birds mostly appeared to be in good health. Paula Ashfield, who runs a bird sanctuary in Sussex County, removed the white umbrella cockatoo from a cat carrier and danced in a circle while it perched on her arm, bobbing its head as she sang a tune. Afterward, it belted out a few excited screeches.

The business owner’s partner said she would most miss the cockatoo, which she named Bumble, and a red-lored parrot she called Charlie. When Charlie was brought out of the room, she cried out the bird’s name, whistled and took pictures of it with her cell phone as tears streamed down her face.

Sejas said having the birds helped him deal with the impact of the robbery and assault in April 2011, which was documented in a police report. He was left severely hurt with broken ribs and head injuries which led him to get 22 stitches and five stitches near his eyebrow, and bruises throughout his body. He said it took him more than two months to recover from his injuries, and one of his doctors told him that he should focus on things he likes to help him get better.

“It was like therapy, the birds distracted me,” he said. “Every time I would see that one was born it would make me happy.”

He said as a child growing up in the countryside of Bolivia, he often would go out to look at birds and would often bring some home with him. He said he loved to raise animals as a hobby, remembering that at one time he raised rabbits and guinea pigs in Bolivia.

When he started homing birds in the backroom of his store, he said he thought it was the best place because it was near the backyard.

“It started off with one type of bird and I wanted others,” Sejas said, fidgeting with a cord in his hands. “It was like a collection for me.”

He said that he bought some of the birds at local pet shops and flea markets, but most were born in his own shop. Witnessing the births was a recurring moment of joy, he and his partner said.

“The animals were so beautiful when they were born, and as they grow they get to know you,” said the woman, who did not give her name.

Sejas said last week a fire inspector went to his shop and found the birds, and told him he had too many.

“I was so scared, I didn’t know it was against the law,” he said.

The Passaic fire inspector, Michael Shatrin, issued a notice of violation to the business last week, listing four offenses – having an illegal bedroom, excessive storage, a malfunctioning fire extinguisher and a back door that was inaccessible.

The business owner said he planned on moving some of the birds to larger cages but didn’t get around to it. He also said he tried to control the mouse and roach problem, sometimes spending hours cleaning the store.

The couple is being allowed to keep one of the birds – a blue-fronted parrot called Lolita – as long as they take it to a veterinarian and keep it at home.

No birds were found dead, but some newborns that were removed last week did not survive, said Ashfield, founder of Under My Wing Avian Refuge in Wantage. She spent hours scrubbing the back room on Thursday and took with her some finches and canaries.

Most of the other birds were distributed among four different rescue groups and sanctuaries on Monday – two in New Jersey, one in New York and one in Maryland.

On Monday, Ashfield wore rubber gloves and plastic covers on her boots while she removed the birds, and left the room grimacing.

“We got cockroaches flying off the walls, into breeding cages, everywhere,” she said.

After the birds are tested for diseases, most will go up for adoption by the various groups, Ashfield said.

To donate to the rescue effort, visit the Under My Wing Avian Refuge website at Facebook.com/UMWAR or email donate@undermywing.org.

According to the bird rescue Facebook page, the SPCA decided it was "a case of hoarding and not intentional neglect" and would not be filing charges. I disagree with this decision unless these owners have willingly agreed to get mental health counseling. Without mental health intervention, the recidivism rate for hoarding is 100%.

(North Jersey - Jan 20, 2016)

Webster teen arrested after pet deaths under investigation for separate incident

NEW YORK -- The Webster teen who police said killed a neighbor's four pets is under investigation for animal cruelty involving his own.

"Where do these acts of violence stop?" asked Joseph Meyer, whose family was victimized Saturday.

People on his quiet Webster street also want to know why the 14-year-old has been released to the custody of his father rather than being held in a secure location. "I wouldn't want anything like this to happen again. It's just got to stop," said Meyer.

 

He stands in his mother's house which is suddenly way too quiet. The constant chirping of birds, a gift to his mother from his now deceased father, is gone. Nearly every window in the back of the house carries a reminder of damage from a BB gun allegedly shot from the neighbor's back yard.

Thirteen holes in one bedroom pane show an alarming level of violence. "I know people whose kids have had trouble with the law for less offenses, those not nearly as violent, and being minors were put into juvenile detention," he said.

Instead, the teenager was released with the condition that he be continually supervised.

13WHAM News obtained the juvenile risk assessment form used by the state. It's called DRAI (Detention Risk Assessment Instrument) and contains four questions on a point system for determining risk.

The burglary charge was enough to add a point and require the supervision. Any further detention would have required evidence of possible petitions or warrants already pending in family court.

Sources tell 13WHAM the allegations of past abuse involving family dogs may have only come to light after Saturday's incident. They are currently being investigated by Humane Society Investigators.

Dr. Santo Bentivegna is a psychiatrist and forensic expert in cases involving children who behave violently, including those who abuse animals. "These are warning signs, and I think police have to be notified when they see these things," he said. "This is not a joke. This is not something that is going to go away without help."

The family's African Gray Parrot and 9-year-old daughter's bearded dragon were killed after being shot at close range by a BB gun.

The Meyers say their cat was spared only because it ran and hid in the basement. Lights turned on in the basement indicate to them the teen went down there, perhaps following the frightened cat. A larger bird and bearded lizard were shot to death.

The teenager allegedly told police he crushed her two cockatiels named Dracula and Valerie in his own hands. "That is a sign of very deep aggression and deep rage," said Dr. Bentivegna. "It's not enough to use a weapon of some sort, but one has to use one's own hands."

New York law allows juveniles as young as 13 to be charged as adults for high level crimes. In this case, the teen is charged with Burglary 3rd and Criminal Mischief; both are low-level felonies which do not qualify.

No one answered the door at the teen's house Tuesday. On Monday night, an adult there called this a "personal matter" and asked reporters to leave. Joseph Meyer said the single father was a good man and neighbor but he remains concerned. "This yard and this community are full of pets. (the teenager) can step over that fence and have the opportunity to harm another animal," he said.

(13WHAM - Dec 15, 2015)

Khristina Yates, 35, pleads guilty to starving cockatiels and guinea pig to death

MICHIGAN -- A 35-year-old woman who abandoned a cat, two cockatiels and a guinea pig when she moved out of an Ypsilanti Township apartment is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 3, according to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Khristina Yates pleaded guilty last month to two counts of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor, court records show.

Yates left the animals while moving out of the Huron Heights apartment complex, the humane society said in a release.

"The animals were left alone for weeks in the apartment. Sadly, the birds and the guinea pig died of starvation. The cat barely survived," said Aaron Soyring, animal cruelty investigator at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. "I found her cowering near her empty food bowl. She was weak, thin and very scared. Happily, she has since been treated and was adopted by people who appreciate her."

Humane society officials said they see such cases far too often. They hope raising awareness protects other animals from harm.

"Please, if you cannot take care of your animals or cannot move with your animals, bring them to us," Soyring said. "Slowly starving to death while there are people all around who can help is unacceptable and unnecessary."

Humane Society of Huron Valley's president and CEO Tanya Hilgendorf agreed these types of cases happen too often.

"We respond to hundreds of animal cruelty complaints each year and see a lot of neglect in our community — often by people you wouldn't think would intentionally hurt an animal," she said.

Yates was initially charged with four counts of animal cruelty to two or three animals causing death. She could face imprisonment for not more than 93 days, a fine of not more than $1,000 and community service for not more than 200 hours.

People who need help caring for their animal may call HSHV at 734-662-5585. The humane society also provides free pet food assistance, safe harbor and emergency veterinary support for those in need.

(MLive.com - Nov 24, 2015)

Quarryville hoarder, Ethan Alan Carter, 53, faces 22 charges of animal cruelty

PENNSYLVANIA -- Nearly two dozen charges of animal cruelty have been filed against a 53-year-old Quarryville man.

Ethan Alan Carter, of Lime Street, faces 22 separate counts of cruelty after the menagerie — 12 dogs, four chinchillas, three cats, two cockatiels and a snake — were seized from his home on Sept. 24.

Charges were filed Sept. 30 before District Judge Stuart Mylin, according to a series of criminal dockets.

 

Acting on a warrant, local animal cruelty officers seized the animals after a zoning complaint was filed against Carter.

The arresting officer, Jennifer Nields, said at the time it was “definitely a hoarding situation.”

The animals, which were taken to the Lancaster County SPCA, all showed signs of neglect, including mange, according to SPCA director Susan Martin.

“They were living in horrible conditions, many were living in their own feces,” Martin said at the time. Two of the dogs, for instance, were kept in tiny, filthy cages in a dark basement, she said.

The three cats were euthanized after testing positive for feline leukemia, Martin said. Otherwise, the animals are all available for adoption or have already found new homes.

One terrier mix and 10 pugs have been adopted, she said, leaving one terrier still up for adoption. The chinchillas and birds are also available at the SPCA’s shelter at 848 S. Prince St.

The snake was given to That Fish Place/That Pet Place for rehoming.

(LancasterOnline - Oct 2, 2015)

Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, who kept dozens of birds, dogs, dead snakes in home admits to animal cruelty

PENNSYLVANIA -- The Emmaus man who neglected more than 50 birds, snakes and dogs that lived with him pleaded guilty last month to a dozen animal cruelty charges.

District Judge Donna Butler on Jan. 26 sentenced Jason Wieder to pay $9,157 in restitution to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, court officials said Wednesday. The organization cared for birds and dogs seized in September 2014 from the defendant's home in the first block of South Cherry Street. All of the snakes authorities found were dead.

The judge also ordered Wieder to pay $600 in fines -- $50 for each animal cruelty charge -- and $153 in court costs, officials said. He has until the end of February to pay the restitution, fines and fees, officials said.

Wieder, 35, kept three huskies, a mix of six boa constrictors and pythons and approximately 40 birds, including cockatiels, cockatoos and parrots, authorities say. He failed to provide clean living conditions, access to clean water and veterinary care for the animals.

The Pennsylvania SPCA searched Wieder's home and found the animals Sept. 16 after receiving a tip from Emmaus code enforcement officials, authorities say. Wieder faced 67 counts of animal cruelty, but most of the charges were withdrawn in exchange for his guilty plea.

"The PSPCA is pleased that Mr. ­­­­Weider has accepted responsibility for his actions and that these animals have found justice," Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a statement. "The PSPCA is the only animal welfare agency in the state capable of performing this life-saving work.  While we mainly deal with dogs and cats in cruelty cases, it's not unusual for us to be involved with investigating and prosecuting birds and other animals.

The majority of birds taken from Wieder's home have recovered after receiving medical treatment and are being adopted through a Pennsylvania SPCA partnership with Pets Plus Natural, a regional chain of pet supply stores, organization spokeswoman Elizabeth Romaine said Wednesday.

The huskies, now neutered and spayed, have been returned to Wieder, but the Pennsylvania SPCA has inspection rights to ensure the dogs' health and well being for the next three years, she said. Also, the defendant is prohibited from owning additional animals for three years.
(LeHigh Valley Live - Feb 18, 2015)

Earlier:

• Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, admits animal cruelty, hit with $10K in fines

Animals Rescued From Deplorable Home After Owners Fell Ill

WASHINGTON -- Dozens of animals rescued from a house in Washington are finally getting the medical attention they need.

The animals, which include dogs and birds, were rescued Sunday.

Police say the owners were just too sick to care for the animals.

 

 

Ten of those dogs were taken to the Thurston County Animal Services Facility. Many of the dogs are now being treated. Investigators say that it appears that the owners were in poor health and simply couldn`t take care of them anymore.

"It breaks your heart because this could`ve been completely avoided," said Amanda Boylan of Animal Services.

Veterinarians at Animal's Services in Olympia are now carrying for these Pekinese dogs and even a few birds.

All of them removed from a home in Belfair.

 

The animals and their owners found living in a house filled with feces, garbage, and several dead dogs.

Mason County Sheriff's deputies showed up at the home to check on the owners Sunday.

Once inside, they found the couple, who are in their late 60`s.

Both of them were sick and needed to be rushed to the hospital.

Around the home, deputies say there were 30-40 dogs, half-dozen birds, some cats, and even a few snakes.

"I don`t know if it is a criminal situation or a situation to where an elderly couple became ill-health and over the last couple of years it just got away for them," said Detective William Adam Mason, of the County Sheriff's Office.

 

While some of the dogs went to local vets to be checked out, deputies cleaned up a kennel on the property for the others.

For neighbors, it`s a tough situation.

"I hate when I see things like that with dogs, I`m a dog person as you can tell and I hate to see dogs being mistreated," said neighbor Mike Waldron.

Investigators say it appears the owners reached out to another breeder for help caring for the animals.
Vets say it appears the most of the dogs will be okay.

"It doesn`t have to happen, if you have too many pets that you can`t care for them properly then you don`t need all the pets," said Boylan.

For now it appears the animals will remain here at the Animal Services facility. It`s unclear what happens next but they could end up with foster families or eventually be adopted.

(MyFox Philadelphia - Feb 18, 2015)

Earlier:

• Animals, couple rescued from filthy Mason County home

Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, admits animal cruelty, hit with $10K in fines

PENNSYLVANIA -- An Emmaus man who kept six dead snakes and dozens of live exotic birds in a home previously condemned by the borough has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from a September 2014 raid by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals..

Jason D. Wieder, 35, of the unit block of South Cherry Street, will be required to pay more than $10,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty Monday at District Court in Emmaus to a dozen counts of animal cruelty.

As part of the plea, Wieder was ordered to pay $9,157 to the PSPCA for the care of dozens of birds and animals seized from the property, in addition to a $50 fine for each of the animal cruelty offenses.

  

"The PSPCA is pleased that Mr. Wieder has accepted responsibility for his actions and that these animals have found justice," Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a press release.

"While we mainly deal with dogs and cats in cruelty cases, it's not unusual for us to be involved with investigating and prosecuting birds and other animals."

A PSPCA officer served a warrant at the property in September, eventually seizing 37 cockatiels, 10 cockatiel eggs, six dead snakes, three parrots, three cockatoos and three dogs, according to court records.

The dead snakes — boa constrictors and pythons — were kept in plastic containers.

The SPCA said the birds that were seized have received medical treatment and have "fully recovered." The agency said that the birds will be taken by a rescue group and eventually placed in permanent homes.

Wieder's three Huskies will be returned to him, but the SPCA has the right to inspect the animals for the next three years to ensure they are being treated humanely. They also will be spayed or neutered.

SPCA officials visited the property after the borough's code enforcement officer inspected it for code violations.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe said Emmaus has filed a civil court action against Wieder over the property. The borough maintains that the building should be demolished or repaired.

"We have condemned the home numerous times for lack of utilities and are concerned about the physical structure of the home," Pepe said last year.

The property is in an alley near Seven Generations Charter School.

(Allentown Morning Call - Jan 27, 2015)

Police say Douglas Co. home used to hoard animals

GEORGIA -- Douglas County Animal Control is investigating the owner of a home on Brown Street where they found nearly 50 pets living in deplorable conditions. They believe the home was being used solely as a shelter for the hoarded animals.

"We consider it to be a cruelty case just because of the conditions that the animals were having to live in," said Douglas County Animal Services Director Bill Peacock.

Peacock said investigators got a search warrant to go in the house because the odor was so strong when they knocked on the door. "There was feces and urine all over the floors and all throughout the house," he said. "The ammonia smell was horrendous."

Investigators removed 15 dogs, six cats, 26 birds and a ferret from the home. The dogs were mostly small varieties like terrier and Chihuahua mixes. The birds were parakeets, cockatiels and parrots. All of the animals appeared to be well nourished.

Peacock said there was no power in the home. It had been shut off in February.

The owner of the home is not being identified because the investigation is in the early stages.
Peacock said the owner has been charged with animal cruelty in the past and will likely face charges again.

"What we hope is that we can convince the owners to release ownership of all the animals to the shelter," Peacock said. They could also get a court order to gain control of the animals.

If they get control Peacock said none of the animals would be put down. They would all be put up for adoption once the investigation is completed.

(WRCB-TV - Mar 15, 2014)

Glendale Heights man who stabbed pet bird to death gets 90 days in jail

ILLINOIS -- A Glendale Heights man who stabbed his pet bird to death during a domestic dispute was sentenced to 90 days in jail by a DuPage County judge on Monday.

David Hritz, 40, also was ordered to two years of probation following his conviction on charges of aggravated animal cruelty and domestic battery.

Hritz was arrested on Aug. 25, 2012, when he became involved in a domestic dispute with his roommate. Police said Hritz struck the woman with his fists. During the fight, Hritz flung his pet cockatiel against the wall of his residence and then stabbed the bird with a knife, according to prosecutors.

“Mr. Hrtiz’s anger got the best of him,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “Because Mr. Hrtiz could not control his anger, he must spend the next 90 days behind bars.”

Judge Robert Kleeman told Hritz that he was not allowed to own a pet during the term of probation. He must also submit to counseling as deemed necessary.

(Chicago Tribune - Sept 30, 2013)

Warren pet shop owner pleads no contest to animal cruelty

MICHIGAN -- The owner of a Warren pet shop where dozens of animals were removed by animal control officers last spring is scheduled to be sentenced this month after pleading no contest to felony animal cruelty.

Dennis Jones, owner of Greenwood Pets & Plants, could have faced up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine on the felony charge. In a plea agreement with a judge, Jones, 57, likely will be sentenced to probation when he returns to court on Aug. 20.

Jones also pleaded no contest in a separate case involving alleged mistreatment of a goat and other animals at the store in 2012.

Formally, he is accused of failing to provide adequate care or negligently allowing at least four but less than 10 to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture or pain.

A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but it is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

 

“Anytime an individual goes to trial, there’s risk involved,” defense attorney Stephen Rabaut said Friday. “After having a full discussion with Mr. Jones, the evidence in the matter about how he was most likely to get a better outcome, he made the decision to enter the no-contest plea.”

Last May, Warren and Macomb County animal control officials removed dozens of animals — including birds, kittens, a puppy, two roosters, an iguana, a tarantula and a 10-foot python — from the landmark business on Nine Mile Road near Schoenherr because the facility lacked electricity and water service because utilities were cut off. Most were mildly to severely under-nourished.

Of the three dozen cockatiels, several were bloodied and some had broken wings and toes. Two died less than 24 hours after being removed.

Around the same time, Jones remained the target of a garnishment effort filed last autumn against Greenwood Pets & Plants by an attorney who had previously represented Jones in an unrelated case.

That lawyer, Robert Binkowski, claimed in September 2012 that he was owed more than $2,000 for handling a 2007 civil lawsuit against Jones that resulted in the dismissal of a claim against the pet shop owner.

In late March, 37th District Judge Jennifer Faunce — now a judge in Macomb County Circuit Court — found Greenwood in default and ruled that business property could be seized. Due to issues involving storage of live animals, Faunce ruled that the animals be sold immediately.

Most of the injured and malnourished animals were taken to Parkway Small Animal & Exotic Hospital in Clinton Township. Some of the cockatiels were expected to undergo months of treatment, including a few that faced amputation of toes.

Under Faunce’s order, all the animals were briefly under the legal control of court officer Paul Zalenski.

“The only thing I sold was the remaining tropical fish, which was the cheap fish, because the power was being shut off,” Zalenski said Friday. He said four fish distributors declined to buy the approximately 250 fish for $100 before one dealer agreed.

“The problem was everybody who came to look at them … were afraid if they put the animals into a tank with healthy ones, the risk of (spreading) disease would be too great,” Zalenski said.

Faunce’s order last spring was trumped in late June, when prosecutors initiated a forfeiture case against Jones and his business. Jones agreed on June 24 to relinquish ownership of animals that had been for sale, including: a dog, five rabbits, a dozen cats, an albino Burmese python, three iguanas, the roosters, the tarantula, one tortoise, nine chickens, 31 rats, five dozen mice and several lizards. Under the agreement, Jones essentially surrendered the animals to two veterinary hospitals and the Macomb County Animal Shelter.

Meantime, nine other birds — including four macaws — and a cat were ordered to be placed in homes or with caregivers that could provide adequate care and living conditions, according to court records. Those animals were considered Jones’ pets but could not stay with him because of bail restrictions against him in the animal cruelty case that prevented him from possessing animals.

Rabaut said he thinks any ailments or injuries suffered by animals at Greenwood may have been due to challenging economic conditions faced by the business.

“He is an animal lover and he never meant any harm to any animals,” Rabaut said of Jones. “The bottom line is he thought it in his best interest to resolve this.”

An animal welfare organization that pushed Warren officials to take action against Greenwood had hoped Jones would face more severe punishment.

“We wanted jail time (for him),” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan. “We’re going to be at sentencing, for sure.”

The sentencing agreement that calls for probation was reached in July with Macomb County Visiting Judge Thomas Brookover. Brookover was filling in for Circuit Judge David Viviano after Viviano was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Faunce, who had ordered in May that the animals at Greenwood should be sold immediately, was appointed by Snyder last month to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court bench. She takes over Viviano’s caseload, but Brookover is expected to return to handle the sentencing of Jones.
The current whereabouts of all the animals was not immediately known Friday.

(The Macomb Daily - Aug 2, 2013)

Earlier:

• All animals removed from Warren pet store due to unsafe conditions
• Owner of Warren pet store is charged with animal cruelty

California: Animal Cruelty Investigation: "Saint Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary" and its owner, Crystal Kisicki accused of cruelty

CALIFORNIA -- More than 60 animals were rescued from deplorable conditions at a non-profit rescue group's makeshift shelter in the foothills above Squaw Valley.

Central California SPCA officers made the discovery Wednesday after members of the SPCA for Monterey County called sheriff's deputies to the area in eastern Fresno County.

  

The reporter on scene commented about the horrific stench surrounding
him, making it difficult to breathe.

 Officers say the animals were discovered in various stages of emaciation.

"Several of [the animals] were chained up. Most had no food or water provided for them. And all of them were so emaciated that they could have passed away very soon," said Beth Caffrey with the Central California SPCA

Workers are attempting to nurse them back to health at the Fresno facility.

Some of the animals seized include a 1-year-old female Cocker spaniel/poodle mix, a 3-year-old female Yorkie, a 5-month-old male Yorkie puppy, a 2-year-old female Pomeranian, a 4-year-old male Chihuahua mix, a 5-year-old female Chihuahua mix, a 3-month-old female Chihuahua puppy, a 5-month-old male terrier mix puppy, and two young cockatiels.

The Director of the Monterey facility says her officers are investigating and building a case against the group known as "Saint Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary" and its owner, Crystal Kisicki.

 

 

This week, Monterey County animal officers say they stopped Kisicki from selling 17 animals outside a San City Petsmart.

Officers say the fourteen dogs, two birds and a cat all with various problems, including worms and scabies.

The SPCA for Monterey County hopes to submit the proposed animal cruelty charges on Friday.

 

Beth Brookhouser with the SPCA for Monterey County says, "The SPCA wants people to know even if a group is calling themselves a rescue group, always trusts your instincts. If it doesn't look right it probably isn't."

(KMPH - Jun 21, 2013)

North Carolina: AKC breeder Anita Brown hoarded nearly 100 animals inside her home. Prosecutors let her plead to just ONE count of animal cruelty.

NORTH CAROLINA -- Two dogs and two birds.

That's what Castle Hayne woman Anita Brown is allowed to bring home after a plea agreement in her case was reached Tuesday in New Hanover County District Court.

Brown, 45, pleaded guilty to JUST ONE misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge and a town ordinance violation in connection with the 43 dogs and 54 birds found Oct. 16 on her property at 107 Fairford Road. 

Authorities said many of the animals will now be adopted out through rescue groups.

Judge James H. Faison also fined Ms. Brown $6,500 for expenses incurred by the county in caring for the 97 dogs and birds, placed her on five years' supervised probation and prohibited further visits to the animal shelter.

Other probation terms stipulate that Ms. Brown not acquire any more animals and that she receive a psychological assessment. Her home will be subject to unannounced visits by probation or animal control officers.

"I was basically given an ultimatum. It was my house or this deal. They had me up against $60,000 in fines," Ms. Brown said later.

The cost of caring for the dogs and birds at the county Animal Control Services shelter has exceeded $60,000, Assistant District Attorney Charity Hicks said, adding that the $6,500 fine reflects a reasonable share of those expenses.

Ms. Brown appeared last month in District Court, and a plea agreement that would have allowed her to keep three dogs and three birds was not approved by Chief District Court Judge John Carroll III. Tuesday's plea agreement averted a trial.

The animal cruelty plea indicates neglect and Ms. Brown being "overwhelmed" by the animals, not mistreatment, Ms. Hicks said.

"I believe it was more of a hoarding phenomenon going on," she said. "One person cannot responsibly care for 97 animals. It's too big of a job. Physically, one person cannot keep up with all the things they need."

Most of the dogs are whippets or Shetland sheepdogs (Shelties). Among the birds are several types of parrots and cockatiels. Ms. Brown said she kept dogs on her property since moving there in 1984.

Of those taken Oct. 16 by animal control, 12 were recently dropped off for rescue and another 12 were puppies, Ms. Brown said.

A woman who left a whippet there to be bred and tried to take it back a year later after it had puppies initiated the complaints against her, she said.

Neighbors of Ms. Brown made numerous complaints to Animal Control Services before a warrant was obtained to go on the property, agency Director Jean McNeil said. Some of the dogs are receiving treatment for heartworms, but the overall health of the animals is good, she said.

"We've once again made a stand against people who don't take proper care of their animals, and we hope that sends a message," Ms. McNeil said.

Ms. Brown said she knows people who would take the dogs and birds, but is prohibited from making arrangements.

She claims the value of the cages, AKC-registered dogs, puppies and birds kept by animal control exceeds $25,000, but money isn't a primary concern.

"They promised me today they were not going to put any of them down, but I can't check on any of them," Ms. Brown said. "They won't let me know."

Ms. Brown has been on medical disability for more than a year because of a back injury. Under her probation terms, she cannot breed any more animals or continue rescue work. She hopes to pick up the two whippets and two parrots allowed in the plea agreement from the animal shelter this week after one of the dogs is spayed.

Ms. Brown said she will continue to worry about the dogs and birds left behind.

"It's just so horrible. I feel so bad for those animals. I love them with all my heart," she said.

(Star News Online - Feb 4, 2004)