148 animals seized
Madison, MO (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008
County: Monroe
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Dismissed
Persons of Interest:
» Ron Pennington
» Judy Pennington
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
Intervention came just in time for a newborn calf near Madison yesterday. It's mother had been identified as part of an animal rescue operation that the Humane Society conducted Wednesday near Madison. When the group arrived, it found the cow was in need of an emergency C-section.
'The cow was down when we got there,' said Monroe County Chief Deputy David Hoffman. 'She was dehydrated and had malnutrition. She wasn't going to make it so the Humane Society did a C-section to save the calf. The calf is still not out of the woods. But if we had gotten there two days later, the calf would have died, too.'
Working in cooperation with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, the Humane Society of Missouri rescued 148 animals. The team included experienced animal rescue professionals and an independent veterinarian.
It started with an anonymous call about three years ago regarding neglected animals belonging to Ron and Judy Pennington who live just east of Duncan's Bridge near Madison, according to Hoffman.
'We went out after receiving the call and found 64 dogs running around,' said Hoffman. 'There isn't anything illegal about having that many animals but they weren't properly cared for. We gave out correction notices and a few things would be done. We've been back several times since then and finally something had to be done.'
Recommendations were made regarding the number of animals that could properly be cared for and adequate and appropriate food and water, shelter, and veterinary care. Recent visits to the property by the Sheriff's Department indicated many of the animals were in immediate jeopardy.'The Monroe County Sheriff's Department served a warrant Wednesday and the Humane Society went in to seize the animals. Many of the dogs have upper respiratory problems, are thin and have hair loss. Some of the horses are thin. Many of the dogs are chained in several metal trailers or are on bare earth, open enclosures with no access to adequate shelter. Investigators found insufficient food for the number of animals on the property and no clean, accessible water. 'Hoffman said three deputies helped in the rescue with about 15 personnel from the Humane Society on hand.
'I have to give credit to the Humane Society,' said Hoffman. 'They had plenty of help and plenty of transportation.''The rescued dogs were taken to the Humane Society's headquarters on Macklind Avenue in St. Louis for triage. The horses will be taken to the Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri. The animals will remain in the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri until the disposition hearing in Monroe County.' 'It is very distressing that these animals continue to suffer,' said Carmen Skelly, Statewide Investigator for the Humane Society of Missouri. 'We are very gratified that the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and Prosecutor's Office have worked so closely with us to ensure this situation will not continue.'
Case UpdatesAnimal abuse charges against a Monroe County woman have been dropped.
The rural Duncan’s Bridge woman, Judy Pennington, 49, of Madison was charged with six counts of felony animal abuse following an April 2, 2008, seizure of the animals at her home.
The case was moved from Monroe County to Macon County on a granted change of venue. Judge Hadley E. Grimm sustained a defense motion to exclude from trial all evidence seized as a result of the search warrant used for the search on April 2.
Pennington’s 60-year-old husband, Ronnie L. Pennington, charged with the same violations as his wife, has had all charges dropped as a result of the search warrant motion.
“Without the evidence obtained as a result of the April 2 search we have no evidence in the case,” said Monroe County Prosecutor Nicole Volkert.
Volkert noted that the Penningtons are no longer living in Monroe County. Working in cooperation with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society removed 148 animals from the farm in the Duncan’s Bridge area on April 2, 2008, after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the Penningtons to improve conditions. The team included experienced animal rescuers and an independent veterinarian. Investigators in the case said the dogs, cats, horses, goats and other animals had inadequate shelter, insufficient food and improper access to water.
The Penningtons disputed the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary. The Humane Society eventually took legal custody of the animals after the Penningtons missed a court-ordered deadline | Source: Moberly Monitor - Sept 18, 2009
Update posted on Sep 20, 2009 - 8:08PM |
A trial in the case of a northeast Missouri woman charged with six counts of felony animal abuse has been delayed.
Judy Pennington of rural Madison is to be tried in Macon County on a change of venue from Monroe County. A judge was to have begun hearing the case without a jury on Wednesday, but the trial was delayed. A new trial date has not been set.
Pennington's husband, Ronnie, is also charged in the case. His trial has not been scheduled.
Rescuers removed dozens of animals from the Penningtons' rural Madison farm in April 2008, after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the couple to improve conditions.
Investigators said horses, goats, dogs, cats and other animals at the farm lacked shelter, food and water. The Penningtons disputed the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary. | Source: Fox 4 - July 16, 2009
Update posted on Jul 16, 2009 - 9:58AM |
A bench trial is set for Wednesday for one of two suspects in a Monroe County animal abuse case.
Judy Pennington is charged with six counts of felony animal abuse for allegedly mistreating animals at a rural Madison farm.
Pennington's husband, Ronnie, faces the same charges. A trial date for him will be set Aug. 5.
Rescuers removed dozens of animals from the farm on April 2, 2008, after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the Penningtons to improve conditions.
Investigators said the dogs, cats, horses, goats and other animals had inadequate shelter, insufficient food and improper access to water.
The Penningtons disputed the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary.
The Humane Society eventually took legal custody of the animals after the Penningtons missed a court-ordered deadline to pay for their care.
The trials will be held in Macon County on a change of venue. | Source: Hannibal Courier-Post - July 13, 2008
Update posted on Jul 14, 2009 - 12:49AM |
A judge has ordered a felony animal abuse case moved to Macon County. Judy and Ronnie Pennington are accused of mistreating the animals at a rural Madison farm.
Rescuers removed dozens of animals April 2 after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the Penningtons to improve conditions.
Investigators said the dogs, cats, horses, goats and other animals had inadequate shelter, insufficient food and improper access to water.
The Penningtons dispute the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary.
The Humane Society eventually took legal custody of the animals after the Penningtons missed a court-ordered deadline to pay for their care.
On Thursday, Judge Robert Clayton granted a change of venue to Macon County. A court date there has not been set. | Source: Hannibal.Net - Oct 2, 2008
Update posted on Oct 5, 2008 - 11:31PM |
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