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.

*  *  *  *  *  *

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.”

*  *  *  *  *  *

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

Brazil: Teen films herself microwaving her pet guinea pig then uploads the video online, thinking everyone would think she was clever

BRAZIL -- A teenage girl has caused outrage after she allegedly posted a video online showing how she “cooked” her guinea pig by putting it in a microwave.

The 16-year-old girl, identified as Vitoria Muller, from Brazil, is accused of microwaving her pet after being encouraged by friends to do it, according to local reports.

The accused girl was slammed on social media for her cruelty against this poor animal.

Authorities said they seized the animal and transferred it to a vet to be seen to.

Despite the distressing ordeal, the vet said the guinea pig was not injured. It was not returned to the girl or her family.

Her dad said he took her to the authorities, where she was made to explain the reasons behind her cruel act and was forced to apologize for her “shameful behavior”.

He said: “My daughter was already punished for her bad behavior. The animal is fine and in the name of all my family we apologize.

The dad added: “We all take care of animals in this house and we would never let something like this happen. We apologize again for all that happened.”

WHAT KIND OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TORTURE AND KILL ANIMALS FOR AMUSEMENT?

Some have started an online campaign calling for her to be punished using the hashtag #PunicaoParaVitoria – which translates to “Punishment For Vitoria”.

One user wrote: “I cannot believe she was cooking the poor animal”.

Another added: “What a b***h. Abusing a small animal like this… only to get more followers.”

The girl has since deleted her social media accounts following the backlash.

(The Sun UK - May 11, 2017)

Kansas: Teenage girl, 17, charged with animal cruelty after abandoning guinea pigs to die

KANSAS -- An eastern Kansas teenager is facing animal cruelty charges related to three guinea pigs supposedly abandoned in rural areas, including one found in a mailbox.

Lyon County prosecutors have charged the 17-year-old girl with three counts of animal cruelty. Her name has not been released.

A case involving an 18-year-old woman has been referred to prosecutors for consideration of possible charges.

Police say one of the guinea pigs was found April 26 in a mailbox and was taken to an Emporia animal shelter.

The guinea pig, affectionately named Rosita by the Emporia Animal Shelter staff, is still at the animal shelter as per Kansas Law.

After 21 days, Rosita could be adopted out but we are told that the Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter want to sponsor Rosita and take care of it there at the shelter.

Two other guinea pigs reportedly abandoned in woods have not been found.

(KSAL - May 7, 2017)

United Kingdom: Police searching for the person who dumped three animals inside crates in the middle of the road

UNITED KINGDOM -- Three small furry animals were found dumped in the middle of a road.

A rabbit and two guinea pigs were found in plastic boxes with bedding, food and water by a member of the public.

The SSPCA is now looking to track down the person responsible.

The trio, who are now waiting to be rehomed at the charity’s rehoming centre near Dundee, were found next to Keir House by Dunblane.

Staff at the centre have named them Ellie, Diego and Sid.

 

The animals were fortunate not to have been struck by a car, according to centre manager Elliot Hay.

He said: “The animals did not appear to have been mistreated and apart from long nails and some slightly matted hair, they are in good condition.

“The boxes could have easily been hit by an oncoming car. We are appealing for anyone who has any information or noticed any suspicious activity.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period, or life.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

(Evening Telegraph UK - Jan 5, 2017)

Washington: Judge G. Helen Whitener doesn't care about children being molested or animals being tortured to death by future serial killer David Williford

WASHINGTON -- A Thurston County man accused of torturing and killing animals he bought online has been sentenced in another case in Pierce County, related to accusations he sexually assaulted minors.

The result is that he won’t serve more time behind bars, if he avoids further trouble with the law.

As part of plea negotiations, David Christopher Williford, 28, pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to four counts of fourth-degree assault, reduced from initial charges of child molestation and rape.

Superior Court Judge G. Helen Whitener sentenced Willford to two years suspended, which means he won’t serve the time if he maintains law-abiding behavior. As part of that deal he also must seek a psychosexual evaluation and follow-up treatment.

Deputy prosecutor Robert Yu said the state would have had evidence trouble had Williford gone to trial on the initial charges.

“From our perspective it was not an ideal outcome,” Yu said via email. “However, further investigation into the case including witness/victim interviews created significant proof issues for us if we proceeded to trial.”

According to charging papers, an acquaintance reported last year that Williford had raped two women when they were minors. Police interviewed the victims, who said Williford had sexually assaulted them over a period of years, started when they were about 5 and 8.

At the time of that investigation, Williford was in custody for the Thurston County animal abuse charges.

In that case, Williford pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree animal abuse last year as part of a plea deal, and was given a one-year suspended sentence.

Prosecutors said Williford had in his home dead guinea pig and rabbit carcasses, including some that had severed heads. In addition, a few animals were found alive in small cages and in unsanitary conditions.

 

(News Tribune - Nov 17, 2016)

Earlier:

• Washington: Judge calls Olympia animal cruelty case against David Williford 'truly disturbing'
• Washington: David Williford, accused of animal cruelty, pleads not guilty to child sex

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)

Tennessee soldier charged with animal cruelty

TENNESSEE -- A soldier from Wisconsin – tracked down on Facebook by Montgomery County Animal Control – was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after three pets were abandoned in a Clarksville apartment on April 30.

According to an arrest warrant, Christopher Noah, 21, abandoned two cats and a guinea pig in an apartment on Tiny Town Road, leaving them with no food, water or care. He is accused of causing the death of the guinea pig.

Montgomery County Animal Control Director Jeanette Farrell said her office was called by a landlord on April 30, who reported that the animals had been left behind. He told animal control officers that the people staying at the apartment had moved out several weeks earlier. The landlord put Farrell in touch with Noah's first sergeant at Fort Campbell, who told her that Noah also was wanted for being AWOL from the military.

The two cats had survived by tearing open packets of oatmeal and drinking water from the toilet, Farrell said. There was no food, or any sign that cat food had been in the house. The guinea pig was dead.

The case took another turn when officers discovered that the cats were not Noah's.

Farrell said the cats' owner had to go out of state after her mother died and asked Noah and his wife to take care of her cats. Farrell said the couple agreed and sent text messages telling her the cats were doing well, even after they had been abandoned.

The cats' owner was found because the animals were micro-chipped and she was frantic when she found out what happened, Farrell said. She could not travel back to Tennessee to claim the cats and they were adopted to a family through a Nashville cat rescue.

Farrell said that she tracked down the couple accused of abandoning the three pets by looking up the wife, Chelsea Noah, on Facebook. On that page, Farrell saw Chelsea's mother listed and reached out to her, saying the couple was facing charges and needed to get in touch with her.

That conversation led to the couple being located in Wisconsin. Farrell said she has been working closely with the military, who is investigating Christopher Noah, and the military took him into custody in Wisconsin and had him returned to Montgomery County.

His bond on the animal cruelty charge was set at $5,000 but was expected to be raised Thursday as an investigation into other crimes continues, Farrell said.

Farrell said she is preparing paperwork to have Chelsea Noah charged in connection with animal cruelty, too; but Chelsea remained in Wisconsin on Thursday.

Noah, who gave a Manitowoc, Wisconsin, address, was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on Wednesday.

Farrell said her office continues to work closely with the military and additional charges are pending.

Farrell said the couple eventually contacted the cat's owner and told her the cats had been surrendered to the shelter. That was not true, because they were seized after they were found abandoned, she said. The guinea pig belonged to the Noahs.

She said the apartment had no electricity or running water when the pets were found.

About arrests
Readers are reminded that an arrest, charge or indictment is an allegation and not a statement of guilt. Those charged are presumed not guilty until convicted by a judge or jury.

Crime Stoppers
Anyone who has information that might lead to the arrest and conviction of a suspected criminal can earn up to $1,000 by calling the Clarksville-Montgomery County Crime Stoppers tips line at 645-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous
(Clarksville Leaf Chronicle  - ‎May 21, 2015)

Washington: Judge calls Olympia animal cruelty case against David Williford 'truly disturbing'

WASHINGTON -- A Thurston County deputy prosecutor says what was found at an Olympia man's home is the worst case of animal abuse she's ever seen.

David Christopher Williford was charged Monday afternoon with 12 counts of animal cruelty for holding dozens of rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and dogs in "horrific" conditions.

Deputy Prosecutor Christen Anton Peters described it in court like a scene from a horror movie, complete with blood spatters, filth and carcasses strewn about Williford's basement and backyard.

Authorities rescued dozens more animals still alive but described as desperate for food and water.

Williford's defense attorney says it was simply an unsanitary slaughterhouse for meat that Williford intended to eat, and has eaten routinely.

He allegedly got the animals using Craigslist.

Williford is charged with six counts of first degree animal abuse and six of second degree animal abuse.

At his house just outside of Olympia on Cooper Pointe Road, court records say he kept several dogs upstairs in the attic in cages with absolutely no light, no water, no food, and no warm bedding. When they were rescued, court records say they jumped into the arms of animal control officers.

Peters pulled no punches before a judge in arguing that Williford should continue to be held in custody.

 "I've seen many cases of animal cruelty in my career as a prosecutor. This is clearly the most disturbing case that I have ever reviewed," she said.

The director of Thurston County Animal Control is warning people who give away free animals on Craigslist to be careful who gets the animals and to make follow up calls.

Susanne Beauregard says they first got wind of the case when someone came to stay with Williford. When that person threatened to report the abuse to authorities, he says Williford then threatened him. The witness says he fears for his life but reported him anyway.

Peters said her office had extreme concern about the prospect of releasing Williford. But Williford's defense attorney downplayed it.

"It appears to be more slaughtering for food purposes in unsanitary conditions," the attorney said.

 Judge Erik Price ordered him held in jail on $150,000 bail.

"The allegations at this point are truly disturbing," Price said.

(KOMO News - Feb 23, 2015)

Police: Oregon teen dumps 27 guinea pigs in ditch

OREGON -- An Oregon woman who authorities said dumped at least 27 guinea pigs in a draining ditch is facing charges of animal neglect and animal abandonment.

Cecilia Diaz, 19, lives in Beaverton, and the guinea pigs were found in a ditch off 206th Avenue and Baseline Road.

An employee at Southwest Animal Hospital in Beaverton said a good Samaritan found 13 of the guinea pigs over the weekend. A doctor who examined them believed they were dumped last Friday.

Once those guinea pigs were handed over to the animal hospital, a friend of the employee returned to the site and found even more of the guinea pigs. Several of them had died.

The female guinea pigs may be pregnant, and the animal hospital is seeking donations to care for the animals and to spay the females.

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

For now, Southwest Animal Hospital is housing 16 of the guinea pigs, and many more are being cared for by friends of the Southwest Animal Hospital employees.

They will be put up for adoption when they’re ready.

It's said that Diaz purchased guinea pigs to breed and sell for snake food - apparently that didn't pan out so well and she was too lazy to simply take to them to the local shelter.

(Q13Fox - November 7, 2014)

The cartoon screenshots are from this great video from YouTube:

United Kingdom: Former Horncastle mayor Pamela Crisp-Beard and her daughter Maria Crisp-Beard deny their 50+ animals were being hoarded in horrific conditions

UNITED KINGDOM -- A former Mayor of Horncastle and her daughter kept animals in such unhygienic and squalid conditions that a vet judged they would likely suffer if they continued to stay there, a court heard.

Pamela Crisp-Beard and her daughter Maria Crisp-Beard appeared at Skegness Magistrates Court as a trial continued into six offences all relating to animal welfare. They deny all the allegations.

  

Pamela Crisp-Beard was Mayor of Horncastle between May 1997 and May 1998 and was a town councillor until 2011.

The charges relate to over 50 animals including 15 rabbits, a golden pheasant, two guinea pigs, five mice, two rats, a cat, two dogs, four ducks, a goose and 22 chickens.

The court heard that conditions at the Linden Road two-story house were so bad there was a strong smell of feces and urine.

It was said the house was dark, cold and cluttered with cages and hutches stacked on top of each other. Animal feces was even found on cutlery, the magistrates were told.

It was said many of the animals did not have reasonable access to food, they were living on dirty straw and that where water was provided it was dirty.

RSPCA inspectors first visited the property on January 16 this year where the animals were seen and five animal warning notices were issued.

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Lowe told the court: “It was completely cluttered. There was not much general walking space, there were things about everywhere. The premises was not clean. There was a smell from the front door of ammonia and feces.”

Ms Lowe said cockerels had been placed in cat baskets stacked on top of each other.

She said: “We asked to remove them immediately and take them outside. I saw three cockerels come out of one of the baskets. Cat baskets are not suitable for one cockerel let alone three.”

The RSPCA returned to the property on January 29 but were told to return the next day.

They returned on January 30 accompanied by two police officers.

Ms Lowe said the conditions did not look any different apart from some cat baskets had been removed from the kitchen, some animals had clean straw but piled on dirty straw and the pheasant had been moved from the utility room to a shed.

Annaliese Leslie, who at the time was working for Marshlands Vets in Boston, was called to assess the animals.

Based on her report that the animals would suffer if they continued to stay there, the animals were seized by police.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Beris Brickles, asked Miss Leslie on the suitability of conditions for the animals.

Annaliese Leslie, who at the time was working for Marshlands Vets in Boston, was called to assess the animals.

Based on her report that the animals would suffer if they continued to stay there, the animals were seized by police.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Beris Brickles, asked Miss Leslie on the suitability of conditions for the animals.

She told the court one shed containing five roaming rabbits was knee-deep in compacted faeces.

She said: “It was very, very deep compacted feces - It was knee deep. The rabbits had created a network of tunnels through this. You had to take a step up to get into the shed. It was about 18 inches deep I would say.”

Speaking about the pheasant she said the bird was extremely dirty which was not natural. She said: “It would need a bath over some time to help get himself clean.”

The court heard the RSPCA inspectors had struggled to identify the bird.

The vet added: “The house was very dark, dirty and there was extreme level of clutter. Surfaces were dirty and there was cutlery with animal faeces.”

The court heard a number of the rabbits were underweight and two had signs of urine scald (urine burn) where their fur was coming out.

Miss Leslie told the court this could have been prevented from being in a clean environment.

The rabbits had since put on weight after being rescued.

She said a cat was found to be greasy and dirty and was stained from urine.

She said: “For him to be exposed to so much dirt and feces to be dyed by it, than that is a long time issue.”

The court also heard a rat was living in a cage smaller than its body length.

Ms Leslie said there was plenty of advice available from vets, the RSPCA and the Defra code of conduct for people to get advice on the best conditions for their pets.

 

In cross examination, Ruth Harrop questioned the access to clean water issue stating that some animals choose to drink outside.

The court heard none of the animals were found to be dehydrated and apart from two rabbits there was no clinical concern found in the other animals.

A parrot was the only animal not seized. Two ferrets had been rehomed by the Crisp-Beards by the time of the RSPCA’s final visit.

The case was adjourned until Tuesday when the defence case will be heard.

Pamela Crisp-Beard also faces two charges of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control in a public place.

(Lincolnshire Echo - Dec 13, 2014)

Humane officers confiscate 600+ small pets from Akron home

OHIO -- The Humane Society of Greater Akron confiscated more than 600 birds, rabbits and guinea pigs last week from a house in Akron.

Humane officers raided the Archwood Avenue home Tuesday, Aug. 26, and some of the animals are available for adoption. The birds -- quail, canaries, parakeets, finches, love birds and others -- went to several other animal rescue groups.

 

"We're challenged to care for them because we primarily rescue dogs and cats," director Karen Hackenberry said. "We simply lack the necessary food and supplies."

People can help by donating bedding, watering bottles, timothy hay, food and cages for guinea pigs and rabbits from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at 7996 Darrow Road, Twinsburg Township, Hackenberry said.

The owner of the animals, Sebastian Smith III, has been charged in Akron Municipal Court with possessing too many animals and three counts of animal cruelty. Smith, 62, will be arraigned Monday. The house has been condemned.

Humane officers went to the home after neighbors complained about a foul odor.

Paws and Prayers and One of a Kind Pet Rescue, both based in Summit County, helped transport the animals to various facilities.

(The Plain Dealer - Sept 4, 2014)