Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding 200 animals - dogs, cats and monkeys

Hoarding 200 animals - dogs, cats and monkeys
Shelbyville, TN (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 30, 2001
County: Bedford
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abusers/Suspects:
» Elaine Roch
» Norbert Roch
» Lorraine Roch
» Regina Roch

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 1054

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), other companion animal

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In May, each of the Roch's were hit with 200 counts of animal cruelty after the county's humane workers found more than 175 dogs and cats, even a monkey living at their Bedford County home in filthy conditions.

"There's some in cages in a barn, stacked double deep, standing in their own feces urine from above, no water, in a hot building, very bad conditions," said Kay Petty of the Bedford County Humane Association.

The Roch's were arrested, and the animals were adopted out or taken care of at the Roch's home.

The Roch's attorneys said there were too many charges against them, and the pictures too telling to let their case go to trial, so they advised them to settle.

"There's not a guilty plea entered into it, but there are certain requirements," said Larry Wallace, the Roch's attorney.

"They are to pay $5,000 a piece, total $20,000 within 90 days as restitution to the humane association," said Richard Dugger, the Humane Association Attorney.

The Roch's can only keep a couple of pets each and no more. They are all on probation for two years. The Roch's are not happy.

"They should've offered us help instead of making us pay a fine and be on probation for two years," said Elaine Roch. The Roch's still do not believe they did anything wrong.

Case Updates

On Saturday approximately 50 dogs were euthanized at the farm of Norbert Roch. The Roch family had pleaded guilty to hundreds of counts of animal cruelty several months ago.

The Bedford County Humane Association killed the dogs on orders from the court. The dogs were found to be malnourished and violent. Roch watched the veterinarian as he gave drugs that killed the animals. Roch said, "It was not easy. I don't think it's ever correct to kill an animal."

The animals were all strays, Roch said, "we picked up on the roads. They hung around long enough to become pets."

The Humane Association seized five horses, three cows and about 25 goats from the Roches' property. Roch said, "They took all the livestock. The goats were part of my livelihood. The rest of them were just pets. I don't think it's right, but that's what they did."

Source: The Nashville Tennessean - Oct 24, 2001
Update posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 12:59PM

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The Roch family reached a settlement in their case yesterday after qualifying for a form of pretrial diversion, said Hollynn Hewgley, an assistant district attorney general for the 17th Judicial District.

Each defendant will receive two years of probation and must pay a $5,000 fine within 90 days, Hewgley said. The Roches have also agreed not to obtain any more animals in Tennessee and will forfeit ownership of every animal seized by authorities.

In Circuit Court on Thursday, a judge gave the family two weeks to make improvements in the general overall care of the remaining animals on their farm or risk forfeiting those animals to the humane society at their expense.

Update posted on Mar 20, 2003 - 3:46PM

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References

	WKRN News 2
	Tennessean.Com
	Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association 200

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Hoarding 200 animals - dogs, cats and monkeysShelbyville, TN (US)

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Hoarding 200 animals - dogs, cats and monkeys
Shelbyville, TN (US)