11 sled dogs, 11 rabbits neglected - Eagle River, AK

Tuesday, Jan 2, 2007

County: Anchorage

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Jennifer Lynne Bailey

Case Updates: 6 update(s) available

Police made a disturbing discovery in early January at a home in Eagle River, finding 22 emaciated animals that were starved of food and water.

Now, the owner faces 24 charges of cruelty to animals.

The dogs, rabbits and chicken are now in protective custody at Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center.

Animal Care released disturbing photographs in February that show the alleged neglect, which officials discovered Jan. 2 through an animal control investigation conducted in conjunction with Anchorage police.

"We were notified by a member of the public that they were concerned that someone in their neighborhood had not fed the animals in a couple of days," said Maria Martin, the spokesperson for Animal Care and Control.

Police say the woman responsible for the animals is 43-year-old Jennifer Bailey of Eagle River.

Martin said the dogs were rated "emaciated" because they had bones visibly poking out of their fur.

"Back bones visible; hip bones sticking out. You could feel their ribs and they were very dehydrated," said Martin.

After the initial investigation, Animal Care took into custody 11 sled dogs, 11 rabbits and one chicken.

Police say all of animals were underweight, with no food or water and no signs that anyone had attempted to feed the animals in days.

The dogs weighed between 26 and 33 pounds. One was taken to a veterinary clinic for life-saving medical treatment.

Two rabbits were also found dead in their cages.

A neighbor of Bailey's, who preferred anonymity, said she was shocked to hear about the neglect.

"Never in my life did I think (Bailey) would neglect her animals," said Bailey's neighbor.

Martin said the dogs have regained a lot of weight since being picked up by Animal Control, and most of them currently weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

Bailey is expected to appear in court Monday on the 24 charges of animal cruelty and neglect.

According to Animal Control and Care, the court will determine what happens to the animals and who assumes custody of them.

So far, Bailey has refused to surrender ownership.

Case Updates

An Eagle River woman who faced 24 counts of animal cruelty struck a deal with prosecutors and consequently pleaded no contest to eight counts. Now, Jenny Bailey faces jail time and a $10,000 fine for the crimes. Bailey appeared in court Thursday, prepared to take responsibility for her many mistakes. A tip led Anchorage Animal Care and Control to Bailey's residence in early January, where 11 hungry and emaciated dogs were found, along with several rabbits in similar condition and a badly neglected chicken. Two of the rabbits were already dead when Animal Control arrived. In a phone call Wednesday, Bailey admitted making many mistakes and regretted harming the animals in her care. She declined to make any comments at her hearing but her attorney did address the court. "I think she just got caught up in the events in her life and became overwhelmed at the time," said Andrew Lambert, who is representing Bailey. "And certainly this was a huge eye-opener for her." "This sentence is, granted, a stiff one, but given the circumstance -- the number of animals and the length of time -- obviously, they hadn't been cared for," said Vennie Nemecek, a municipal attorney. As part of the plea agreement, Bailey will spend 60 days behind bars and pay $10,000 in restitution to the city. "We feel the jail time is appropriate again given the seriousness of these offenses," said Nemecek. Maria Martin with Animal Control said she is reassured that Bailey acknowledges and recognizes her mistakes. "We are happy she's serving some time and going to pay some restitution because of that," Martin said. Bailey also won't be able to care for any animals during her five years of probation. She will begin serving her time in mid-November.

Source: KTUU News - May 18, 2007 Update posted on Jun 1, 2007 - 11:38PM

Anchorage animal control officials are looking for good homes for 23 pets rescued in January from an Eagle River home. Officials say Jenny Bailey has relinquished 11 sled dogs, eleven rabbits and one chicken to the city. The 43-year-old woman is charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty and is scheduled for an April 30th trial. According to officials, the animals have been in city custody since January 2nd, when authorities found 11 emaciated sled dogs without food or water, 11 underweight rabbits, two dead rabbits and the chicken at Bailey's home. At the time, Bailey said she had asthma and couldn't get out to feed the dogs for a couple of days. Officials say the animals are now in good health.

Source: KTVA - April 5, 2007 Update posted on Apr 6, 2007 - 6:12AM

Her next court date is set for April 2.

Source: KTUU - Feb 6, 2007 Update posted on Feb 10, 2007 - 8:40PM

An Eagle River woman charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty failed to show up in court to enter a plea Monday but sent her lawyer to plead on her behalf. Trial for Jenny L. Bailey, 43, will be scheduled in April. At first, it appeared Bailey had blown off her court appearance and District Court Judge Nancy Nolan issued a warrant for her arrest. But in misdemeanor cases, defendants don't have to show in person. When Bailey's attorney, Andrew Lambert, ultimately appeared and pleaded not guilty on all counts, the arrest warrant went away, said court officials. Anchorage authorities responded to a report of animal neglect at Bailey's home in January and found 11 emaciated sled dogs without food or water, 11 underweight rabbits, two dead rabbits and one chicken in need of care. The Animal Care and Control Center took the animals, and they're all recovering well, said center spokeswoman Maria Martin. Neither Bailey nor her lawyer could be reached Monday. When found, the Alaskan Huskies, with ribs, hip and back bones protruding from thick fur, weighed between 26 and 33 pounds, according to Anchorage Police. The dogs now weigh between 44 and 61 pounds. There was enough dog food in the house on Prudhoe Bay Avenue, police said, but there were no tracks leading to the dog yard, suggesting they had not been fed for some time. "I don't believe it was for lack of resources," Martin said. Bailey told the city she had asthma and couldn't get out to feed the dogs for a couple of days, Martin said. But there was no sign of feces around them, indicating that they had not eaten for a long time, Martin said. The animals still belong to Bailey, but a judge could turn them over to Animal Control, which could put them up for adoption, Martin said. It is up to the court to decide what to do with them. Eagle River residents Kurt and Joan Thor, who befriended Bailey last fall, alerted Animal Control to the case the day before authorities visited the property on Jan. 2. They said Bailey painted for a living, and had not mushed for years. Joan said she hung out with Bailey for four days just before New Year's, which is why she knew Bailey had not fed her dogs. Joan said she even offered to feed them herself, but Bailey told her to mind her own business. When Joan found out how skinny the dogs were, she bawled, she said. "I didn't know it was that bad," Joan said. On Monday, she said she last saw Bailey five days ago when they ran into each other at a bar. Joan said Bailey was angry because the Thors turned her in. Bailey also kept two dogs, a cat and a rabbit indoors. Those pets were found in good health and were not impounded. Since authorities don't know where Bailey is, and a concerned neighbor hasn't seen or heard from her in many days, Animal care officers visited the site Monday to check on the remaining animals. A man who identified himself as Bailey's boyfriend said the dogs are at a vet's for boarding and he was caring for the others, according to Martin. The man would not disclose Bailey's whereabouts, she said.

Source: Anchorage Daily News - Feb 6, 2007 Update posted on Feb 6, 2007 - 12:37PM

Police are on the lookout for an Eagle River woman who is accused of multiple counts of animal abuse. Forty-three-year-old Jenny Bailey never showed up in court Monday morning. She was supposed to be charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty. Police have now issued a warrant for her arrest. Last week authorities removed 11 starving sled dogs from her home and almost as many rabbits. The pets were taken to Anchorage Animal Control where workers say they are doing much better. "They all have put on significant amounts of weight, not just the dogs, but the rabbits. So they're doing well. And if we are forced to keep them here, pending a trial, we'll continue to give them food and water and exercise every day and keep them in as high a spirits as we can," said Maria Martin of Anchorage Animal Control. At this point, it's unclear whether the animals will be available for adoption.

Source: KTVA - Feb 5, 2007 Update posted on Feb 6, 2007 - 12:46AM

Bailey was charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty on Jan. 18 and has been cited for inappropriate facility standards and care and sanitation. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

Source: Anchorage Daily News - Feb 2, 2007 Update posted on Feb 3, 2007 - 1:14PM

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