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Puppy mill
Grayson County, VA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Nov 9, 2007
County: Grayson
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Loretta Parsons
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Authorities in Grayson County have charged a woman with animal cruelty, after they discovered abused animals on her property. Loretta Parsons has been charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty, 16 counts of no tags, and 16 counts of no vaccinations.
Animal control authorities said she was breeding and selling the abused animals for $400 each.
�The conditions there, stated in a single word: deplorable,� said Glen Richardson of the Grayson County Animal Control.
Richardson said all of the animals had medical problems ranging from tooth decay to malnourishment.
Puppies discovered on the property had parasites and had been eating food meant for adult dogs, he said.
�They were weaned too early; they were given food specifically blended for an adult and you can't do that to a puppy,� said Richardson.
He said he received a call from a concerned citizen about Parsons' property.
The dogs might not have survived much longer had he not been alerted, Richardson told WXII12 News.
Parsons will be in court Nov. 19.
The dogs and puppies will likely be up for adoption if a judge rules in Grayson County�s favor, Richardson said.
Case UpdatesDogs rescued from a puppy mill months ago will soon be put up for adoption.
After a plea agreement late last month owner Loretta Parsons agreed to hand over all but two of the dogs.
Of the 24 dogs originally rescued from a Grayson County puppy mill only 14 remain at the Galax Carroll Grayson Animal Shelter.
Shelter Supervisor Gina Dalton says �We had two pugs that had to have extensive surgeries and they went to a pug rescue and we had some puppies that also went to a rescue.�
County administrators say paper work is all their waiting for before the dogs will be allowed to find a new home, hopefully by the end of next week.
In a statement, Assistant County Administrator Felicia Hash tells 10 On Your Side, �We are pleased that this has been settled and that these animals will be adopted out to good homes. The county would like to thank the local animal shelter and everyone who has been involved with the care of the animals. We�d also like to thank the citizens of the county and surrounding area who�ve expressed concerns and willingness to adopt the animals.�
Dalton says because of their history, whoever adopts the dogs needs to be committed �They were in cages outside, they are not housebroken, they were basically fed and not handled extensively and not socialized to doing anything except sitting in their cage all day.�
To help pay some of the medical bills the adoption fee will also be more, starting from the normal $15 to $150 depending on the health of the dog.
Dalton says families have shown interest despite extra costs.
According to Virginia law people can adopt the animals if they live in the same county or any county that borders the shelter. In this case, it would include Floyd, Wythe, Smyth and Patrick counties. | Source: WSLS - April 3, 2008
Update posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 9:28PM |
The owner of more than 20 dogs found living in deplorable conditions in Grayson County, is found guilty on more than half the charges against her.
Earlier this week, a judge sentenced Loretta Parsons to 12 days in jail, one year supervised probation and several fines. Parsons was found guilty of 15 counts for not having licenses for her dogs, and 8 counts for not providing adequate care for the animals.
However, another 23 charges concerning animal welfare were dismissed because of a technicality.
10 On Your Side called animal control officer Glen Richardson, who was in charge of the investigation to find out what happened. Richardson says he failed to file proper paper work in time causing the judge to drop the charges for which he says, �I take full responsibility.�
According to Grayson County Commonwealth�s attorney, Douglas Vaught, the welfare charges included the provision of forfeiture of the dogs. Therefore, without those charges the judge was unable to make a ruling concerning where the animals should go. Since the November rescue, the dogs have been kept at the Galax-Carroll-Grayson animal shelter, where they currently remain. The judge has ruled attorneys will now have to negotiate their fate, along with any reimbursement for the care of the dogs.
Vaught says the negotiations may take a while, since Parsons has until Feb. 14th to file an appeal. Parsons is due to begin her 12 day sentence on Friday, unless she appeals. | Source: WSLS - November 23, 2008
Update posted on Feb 9, 2008 - 11:34PM |
The court appearance for the owner of a Grayson County puppy mill arrested and charged with animal cruelty was continued Monday.
Loretta Parsons was charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty, 16 counts of no tags and 16 counts of no vaccinations.
Animal control authorities said she was breeding and selling the abused animals for $400 each.
Puppies discovered on the property had parasites and had been eating food meant for adult dogs, he said.
Parsons will be in court again Dec. 17. | Source: WXII - Nov 20, 2007
Update posted on Nov 21, 2007 - 1:17AM |
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