California: Chihuahua Animal Cruelty Case involving puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 72, to go to trial

CALIFORNIA -- A 72-year-old woman who allegedly kept more than 230 Chihuahuas at her Acton home was ordered Friday to stand trial on charges that include animal cruelty and battery on an animal control officer.

 

Emma Regina Harter could face up to three years in prison if convicted. But Deputy Dist. Atty. Steven Heller said he would not recommend incarceration.

"Based on her age, the nature of the case and her lack of a criminal record, we would be looking to put her on probation, order her not to possess any animals, get her counseling and have her pay restitution for the dogs' impound fees," Heller said. The fees could reach $500,000, he said.

The dogs were seized from Harter's property in November and placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department. Many were inbred and had severe behavioral problems. More than 50 have since died, officials said.

"These dogs were very aggressive, and some of the larger dogs killed several of the other dogs," Heller said.

In August, a judge ordered that 177 of the dogs be turned over to Burbank-based Chihuahua Rescue for training to make them adoptable, if possible. The Chihuahuas have since been dispersed to six rescue organizations and a boarding house for dogs, said Kimi Peck, executive director of Chihuahua Rescue.

About 40 of the animals have been taken in by private homes, Peck said, but many of the others are still too wild for adoption.

Superior Court Judge Lisa Chung found sufficient evidence to require Harter to stand trial after two days of hearings that included testimony from an animal control official and a county veterinarian, Heller said.

Harter's arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18 in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Lancaster on two felony and five misdemeanor counts, Heller said.

Peck said she was surprised and pleased about the charges.

"I'm for whatever it takes to stop her and other people like her from creating these horrible situations," she said.

(LA Times - September 6, 2003)

Earlier:

• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 64, avoids jail by hiding most of her 40 Chihuahuas
• California: Animal rescue groups want ownership of vicious, feral Chihuahuas seized from breeder Emma Harter
• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter won't sign over dogs until she can wiggle out of the $500k she already owes the shelter
• California: In court, Emma Harter pleads not guilty to felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty
• California: Judge's Ruling Saves 170 Dogs - The Chihuahuas, taken from an Acton breeder last year, are to be released to a rescue group based in Burbank early next week.
• California: Feral dogs seized from an Acton breeder Emma Harter, accused of animal cruelty, are being released to rescue groups this week

15 dogs found in Green Street home

GEORGIA -- A Thomaston woman was jailed Thursday after police and Upson County animal control officers found 15 sickly dogs and a "sea of filth" in her Green Street house.

Shirley S. Eubanks, 49, 517 South Green Street, was charged with 15 counts of nuisance ordinance violations after police were called to her house just after 10 a.m.

"The odor was so strong we didn't know what was going on and by the time we got in the house, we found she had 15 dogs living with her," said Thomaston Police Officer Bobby Ellington who is in charge of the city's Animal Control Division.

"The smell was so bad from the street, we were concerned there might be a deceased person inside," Ellington said, adding the Green Street case is the worst he has seen in years.

Relatives told The Times the woman did not intend to mistreat the dogs, but took in more strays than she could handle because of her love of animals.

The investigation of the house was conducted jointly by the city and county animal control, including Animal Shelter Manager Smart Web.

When police and animal control officers got inside, they found the floors covered with feces, the house damaged and in disarray and flea infested.

"A situation like that is awful" said Annie Johnston, an environmental health specialist with the Upson Health Department. "A situation like that can cause different illnesses, most notably intestinal tract problems."

According to reports, the dogs, mostly smaller mixed breeds, caused between $20,000 to $30,000 in damages to the house.

"We run into problems like this from time to time in the county, but this case is bad," Web said. "A lot of these dogs have health problems ... These dogs are in pretty bad shape."

He said the dogs would receive treatment for fleas at the shelter.

Web said problems such as this need to be addressed and that he is thankful to receive cooperation from the Thomaston Police Department and the Upson County Sheriff's Department.

"People often want us to get involved when they see situations like this, but the problem is that we just don't have enforcement authority," Web said. "We have to call the police or the sheriff's department, but by the time they get there, it is often too late."

Web said the dogs would probably remain available for adoption for a week or two, but said eventually the ones not adopted would have to be put down

(Thomaston Times - Sept 5, 2003)

Illinois: Dawn Sadoff, 43, charged with horse theft held on $90,000 bond

ILLINOIS -- A woman has been charged with stealing a valuable show horse from a Chicago stable.

Dawn Sadoff, 43, has been charged with burglary and theft of a horse for allegedly stealing a Lipizzaner named Hunter from the Noble Horse stable in the city's Old Town neighborhood. The Chicago woman was ordered held on $90,000 bond during a court appearance Monday.

Cook County prosecutors said Sadoff burglarized the stable on Aug. 7, leading the horse out of the stable and into a trailer. It was recovered a few days later at a stable in far west suburban Elburn.

Sadoff, who once worked at the Noble Horse stable, denies the allegations.

Defense attorney Nicolas Albukerk said Sadoff was owed money for a horse she had sold to the owner of the Noble Horse stable earlier this year. He said Sadoff took Hunter to complete the deal.

"This is not great detective work," he said, noting that Sadoff alerted the local media that she had the horse once it was reported missing. "We don't deny that she had the horse."

unter was on loan to the Noble Horse stable for an upcoming series of dinner shows. It is estimated that he is worth as much as $70,000.

Meanwhile, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antionetti said charges are pending against Sadoff in Lake County in a separate case. Prosecutors there have charged Sadoff with forgery and deceptive practices for allegedly passing about $4,000 worth of bad checks at a currency exchange.

(The Associated Press - Aug 27, 2003)

South Carolina: Animal hoarder Linda Giaccio, 54, locked nearly 60 cats inside a minivan. By the time police rescued them, three had died of heat exhaustion

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Police have charged a 54-year-old woman with animal neglect after finding almost 60 cats, including three dead ones, inside a hot minivan parked downtown.

Linda Giaccio is charged with five counts of animal neglect, said Howard Futrell, supervising officer for Charleston police animal services.

Giaccio was apparently returning to her new home in Florida after a road trip to Philadelphia for a court appearance, Futrell said. She took the cats because she didn't trust anyone to take care of them while she was gone.

Authorities have not yet determined what killed the three dead cats and another is not expected to live (common sense tells you they boiled to death inside the hot vehicle).

Stench Inside Van 'Overpowering'

Futrell said he didn't see any food or water and the van was like a rolling litter box.

"The stench was overpowering," he said.

Giaccio was accompanied by an elderly man who has been hospitalized for chest and respiratory problems, Futrell said. The live cats and a poodle were being cared for late Monday at the John Ancrum Society for the Protection of Animals.

Most appeared to be in reasonably good shape, except for an extreme need for bathing, said Dr. Robert Carlson, SPCA executive director.

Carlson said the woman's veterinarian in Philadelphia told him Monday that Giaccio had adequately cared for the cats in the past.

(ABC News - Aug 25, 2003)

California: Feral dogs seized from an Acton breeder Emma Harter, accused of animal cruelty, are being released to rescue groups this week

CALIFORNIA -- The Chihuahuas have been bailed out of jail.

More than 100 of the little dogs, many of them with severe behavioral problems, were handed over to a dozen rescue groups at the Los Angeles County animal shelter in Baldwin Park on Monday, ending a bitter battle over the dogs' fate.

Rescuers and animal-control officers worked throughout the afternoon, corralling scared, angry and growling Chihuahuas into animal carriers, which were then packed into large cars, SUVs and vans.

"I've been crying tears of joy all day long," said Kimi Peck, president of the Burbank-based Chihuahua Rescue group. "I hope this will set a precedent. We have proven that these dogs can be saved."

The animals, which initially numbered 236, had been held at the county facility since they were confiscated eight months ago from 73-year-old breeder Emma Regina Harter. The county had deemed only 36 of the dogs suitable for adoption because they had never been socialized and had formed feral fighting packs.

Animal-control officials had intended to destroy the remaining dogs. But after Peck threatened to take legal action, animal-control officials agreed to appear before a judge to work out a solution.

Peck argued that with love and patience, the dogs could be rehabilitated. On Friday, Lancaster Superior Court Judge Lisa Chung, comparing the tiny animals to abused children, announced that the dogs would be released as soon as possible to certified rescue groups willing to give them the necessary care. Another 60 dogs are scheduled to be set free from the shelter this week.

Peck said more than 400 people stepped forward, volunteering to take in the animals. After screening applicants, Peck narrowed the list to about 20 rescue groups, scattered throughout the United States and Canada.

On Monday afternoon, Peck was joined by animal rights advocates from more than a dozen local rescue organizations.

"Chihuahua Rescue has helped us before, and we're here because we want to return the favor," said Sherry Dargahi, who works with a pit bull rescue group outside Santa Clarita. "We're building a special pen for the dogs. I'll be the one working with them. I can't wait."

Officials began releasing the dogs shortly before 2 p.m. The process proved to be slow and arduous. Several animal-control officers, wearing gloves and carrying blankets, worked gingerly to force the frightened dogs into carriers.

At one point, nationally known pet expert Warren Eckstein, hired by Peck several weeks ago to evaluate the dogs, tried to coax one Chihuahua into a box. He ended up with bloody knuckles.

"It doesn't matter," Eckstein said of his wound. "This is nothing compared to what these poor dogs have been through. They are so frightened."

The saga of the Chihuahuas began last year, when neighbors of animal breeder Emma Harter complained that she was housing the dogs in unsanitary conditions. County animal-control officials raided her property in Acton, an unincorporated community northeast of Santa Clarita, and found scores of the dogs living in close quarters. Some of the animals had to be destroyed because they were ill, and some were killed by other Chihuahuas.

The district attorney's office has filed two felony and four misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges against Harter, who faces three years and eight months in state prison if convicted, according to Sandi Gibbons of the Los Angeles district attorney's office.

(LA Times - August 12, 2003)

Earlier:

• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 64, avoids jail by hiding most of her 40 Chihuahuas
• California: Animal rescue groups want ownership of vicious, feral Chihuahuas seized from breeder Emma Harter
• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter won't sign over dogs until she can wiggle out of the $500k she already owes the shelter
• California: In court, Emma Harter pleads not guilty to felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty
• California: Judge's Ruling Saves 170 Dogs - The Chihuahuas, taken from an Acton breeder last year, are to be released to a rescue group based in Burbank early next week.

California: Judge's Ruling Saves 170 Dogs - The Chihuahuas, taken from Acton puppy mill breeder Emma Harter, 72, last year, are to be released to a rescue group based in Burbank early next week.

CALIFORNIA -- A judge ruled Friday that 170 Chihuahuas -- deemed by some officials as too wild for adoption -- would not be destroyed after all and instead would be released to a rescue group that has pledged to rehabilitate the dogs.

"We won and I'm in shock and thrilled," said Kimi Peck, president of the Burbank-based Chihuahua Rescue.

"By Monday we will start getting the dogs," Peck said. "It's going to cost thousands, but it's worth it to save these dogs."

The dogs, which initially numbered 236, were confiscated from a breeder last year. The dogs had never been socialized and formed vicious, feral packs, authorities said. Only 36 were deemed suitable for adoption.

Lancaster Superior Court Judge Lisa Chung compared the plight of the tiny dogs to abused children as she announced the dogs would not be put to sleep.

Chihuahua Rescue pledged to place the dogs with people across the country who know how to work with dogs with behavioral problems.

The saga of the Chihuahuas began when neighbors of animal breeder Emma Regina Harter complained that she was housing the dogs in unsanitary conditions.

Los Angeles County animal control officials raided her property in Acton, an unincorporated community northeast of Santa Clarita, and found scores of the dogs living in close quarters.

The dogs were not neutered or spayed and more Chihuahuas were later born at a shelter in Baldwin Park, where they have been held for eight months.

Some dogs had to be destroyed because they were ill, and some were killed by other Chihuahuas.

The district attorney's office has filed two felony and four misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges against Harter.

Harter faces three years and eight months in state prison if convicted, according to Sandi Gibbons of the Los Angeles district attorney's office.

Chung has rejected a motion to dismiss the case.

Dog rights activist Peck said the dogs should not be faulted for their behavior. She blamed their cramped living conditions and poor treatment.

"Everything that is wrong with the dogs is what human beings did to them," Peck said.

Referring to Harter, Peck said: "She just wanted a lot of dogs so she could sell them and make money."

The fate of the dogs prompted much debate within the community of Chihuahua fanciers.

Chihuahua Rescue referred to the animals as "angels on death row," and secured the support of an airline to transport the dogs to new homes.

Another group, Chihuahua Rescue and Transport, said the dogs' health and behavioral problems had left the animals beyond help. In a statement on its Web site, the group said: "We cannot support these dogs being placed in any homes."

(LA Times - Aug 9, 2003)

Earlier:

• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 64, avoids jail by hiding most of her 40 Chihuahuas
• California: Animal rescue groups want ownership of vicious, feral Chihuahuas seized from breeder Emma Harter
• California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter won't sign over dogs until she can wiggle out of the $500k she already owes the shelter
• California: In court, Emma Harter pleads not guilty to felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty

Nebraska: Tip about Cherish Pridham's starving horse leads to animal cruelty arrest

NEBRASKA -- A call from a concerned citizen led to the arrest this week of a Washington County woman for animal cruelty.

Cherish Pridham (aka Cherish Nzueni), 27, of rural Washington County, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, August 4, at her residence at 5323 County Road 31. Pridham was also arrested on suspicion of false reporting and for driving with a suspended license.

After receiving a citizen complaint on July 31, Scherer said investigators drove to the residence at that time and found three malnourished horses, a dead dog and the skeletal remains of various animals scattered about the yard. 

The evidence found on July 31 led to the issuance of a search warrant, which was served Monday evening.

Neither Nzueni nor Paul Muia, 45 were at home when the officers arrived, but Nzueni drove up while the investigation was under way. She was cited for animal neglect and also arrested and jailed for driving under suspension and providing false information. When Muia arrived at the Washington County jail Tuesday morning to post Nzueni's $700 bond, he too, was cited for animal neglect.

Scherer said no additional evidence of endangered animals was found at the scene. A dog and two cats in the house seemed to be in good condition, he said.

The horses were taken to another facility and the remains of the dead animals were disposed of, Scherer said.

Rose Fister, who is associated with Helping Hand for Animals, a Washington County animal rescue agency, said Nzueni had contacted her several times, attempting to acquire dogs in need of foster care. Fister said she hesitated to release animals to Nzueni's care because the woman continuously reported her animals stolen or missing.

The investigation into the case continues.

According to The Associated Press, sheriff officials also were looking at a connection to Nzueni over possible Internet fraud and allegations of missing animals.

MAINE COON ALLIANCE WARNING OTHERS ABOUT HER
- January 07, 2004
Subject: CHERISH NZUENI, Washington County, NE - could be anywhere now
URGENT--please forward this to EVERY Rescuer, breeder, vet clinic, pet
shop owner you know or even remotely know-- Esp those in the States of NE, IA, MO, KS, SD, MN, CO!

I am attaching emails regarding a known criminal from Nebraska. Last known  to live in Washington County AND Douglas County--Omaha, Herman and Blair NE.

She goes by the name of Cherish Nzueni, Cherish Pridham, Cherish Muia and possibly other names as well. She is a white female w/light brown wavy hair, in her 20s or early 30s.

Will be most likely with a man or men of Sudanese/Nigerian nationality-- Most likely, a Sudanese attorney by the name of Paul Muia. This man is not to be trusted either. His license to practice law has been suspended for several months due to unrelated complaints filed against him with the State Bar.

Cherish poses as a rescuer, a breeder or a groomer. This woman is a con artist and an EXCESSIVE animal abuser. It seems she has skipped the county and many are looking for her. I fear she may be out of state by now as her name(s) is/are pretty well known in Eastern NE due to her face being on the news this summer.

Cherish was evicted from house that was raided. There were 3 pigs on porch, 2 headless white domestic rabbits in driveway, 2 shar peis, black lab, small brown dog, miniature pinscher & garbage can full of carcasses.

Any info anyone may have or will have on her, needs to be forwarded to Rick at the Blair Animal Shelter 402.533.2743 or better yet, the Washington County Sheriff's dept. at once 402-426-6866.

(Pilot Tribune - Aug 8, 2003)

2004 Update:
Apparently Chrish Nzueni is incarcerated at the Iowa State Prison.

Full name: Cherish N. Nzueni
Sex: Female
Birthdate: 10/2/1975
Offense: FORGERY
Level of crime: D Felony
Commitment date: 12/14/2004
Tentative release date: 12/14/2006

2015 Update:
Harrison County, Iowa - as of November 17, 2015 - has an active warrant for Cherish Nicole Nzueni's arrest (warrant number SRCR008852). Her bond is listed as $9,750. The warrant was issued 03/22/2005 so she must've been released from prison and has since disappeared if they've had an open warrant out for her for 10 years.