Case Details
Case Snapshot
Case ID: 14128
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
View more cases in NE (US)
Login to Watch this Case

Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): Doug Stack
Judge(s): Kent Florom


Images for this Case




CONVICTED: Was justice served?

Please vote on whether or not you feel the sentence in this case was appropriate for the crime. (Be sure to read the entire case and sentencing before voting.)

weak sentence = one star
strong sentence = 5 stars

more information on voting

When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.

Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.

Case #14128 Rating: 2.7 out of 5



Two dogs neglected, seized
North Platte, NE (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008
County: Lincoln

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Ashley N. DeCent

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Concern over the well being of two Great Danes led the North Platte police and animal shelter to seize the dogs Wednesday.

North Platte police Lt. Mike Swain said Thursday that animal control officers had received tips on the dogs since Saturday that the dogs were not being properly cared for.

Animal control and police officers tried to find the owner of the dogs after the tips came in but could not locate her.

After not being able to locate the woman, officers became concerned about the dog's welfare as they were locked up in a closed house without air conditioning. The mid 90-degree temperatures had officials worried.

Swain said officers secured a search warrant to enter the house.

Both dogs, a male and a female, were found malnourished and dehydrated, according to officials. They found dog food on the floor among feces but none in bowls and the dogs were without water.

"They were glad to see us," said Kerri Green, Animal Shelter Supervisor.

Officers seized the two dogs and took them to a veterinarian for an examination. One dog weighed 70 pounds and the other weighed only 50 pounds. Full-grown Great Danes normally weight between 120 to 150 pounds, Green said.

The dogs will be kept at the Animal Shelter until the owner can be located, officials said.

Swain declined to give the owner's name or address. She will likely be cited for animal neglect.


Case Updates

Ashley DeCent, 18, pleaded guilty to animal neglect Wednesday, after being originally cited with Care of Animals, Animal Abuse, Abandonment and not providing rabies vaccination to two Great Danes who were left unattended for days in a hot attic with no water.

The animals were discovered July 16 severely emaciated and covered in their own feces. It was later determined that due to the lack of water, kidney problems developed in the female and the Great Dane was within a day of dying from dehydration.

Both dogs were grossly underweight with the male being 90 pounds underweight and the female approximately 70 pounds underweight.

DeCent was in the Lincoln County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of the raid, which was conducted by the North Platte Police Department in conjunction with Lincoln County Animal Control.

She has maintained that she set up arrangements with a friend to take care of the animals while she was incarcerated, but authorities maintained that it took much longer than the time DeCent was in jail for the animals to deteriorate into that condition.

People working around the residence where the incident took place said that the dogs had been trying to escape the attic through a small window for weeks and their condition grew worse by the day. There was also criticism directed at the authorities for waiting so long to respond to complaints that had been made much earlier than the July 16 raid.

DeCent was scheduled to appear before Lincoln County Judge Kent Florom Wednesday, but pleaded guilty outside of court.

According to North Platte City Attorney Doug Stack, DeCent pleaded guilty to animal neglect, will pay a fine and surrendered ownership of the dogs. The plea deal was in exchange for dropping the remainder of the charges, said Stack.

Following the rescue operation, the animals were placed under medical care and put into foster care where they were last reported to be healthier, happy and putting on weight.
Source: North Platte Telegraph - Aug 14, 2008
Update posted on Aug 15, 2008 - 9:18AM 
Ashley DeCent, the 18-year-old North Platte woman cited for animal abuse stemming from the Wednesday raid that rescued two emaciated Great Danes, was released from jail Friday on unrelated charges.

DeCent was incarcerated at the time her home was raided by the North Platte Police Department and Lincoln County Animal Control officers. While incarcerated, DeCent was cited for Care of Animals, Animal Abuse, Abandonment, and not providing rabies vaccination.

The two dogs were seized during the raid after being discovered in a hot attic without water and lying in their own feces and urine. She was released on her own recognizance on the animal abuse charges against her. She has been given a tentative court date for 9 a.m. Aug. 13 on the abuse-related charges, however that date is subject to change.

According to court documents, DeCent was currently serving 30 days in the Lincoln County Jail for the violation of a protection order - first offense. She was sentenced July 18, after pleading guilty to the charge, but was given 15 days credit on her sentence. She paid the remainder of her fines Friday and was released from jail.
Source: North Platter Telegraph - July 19, 2008
Update posted on Jul 20, 2008 - 8:31PM 

References

© Copyright 2001-2009 Pet-Abuse.Com. All rights reserved. Site Map ¤ Disclaimer ¤ Privacy Policy