Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Coleen Cerda | | Defense(s): | Kirk Tibbetts | | Judge(s): | Glen Baisinger |
Hoarding - 45 cats seized
Albany, OR (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Aug 22, 2009
County: Linn
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jean Marie Primrose
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A 51-year-old woman has been charged with animal neglect after authorities seized 45 cats from her home in Albany.
Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says deputies and the SafeHaven Humane Society raided the home of Jean Primrose on Saturday and found unsanitary conditions and a large number of cats that needed immediate medical care.
He says officials found cat urine and feces on furniture, walls, clothing and on Primrose and her two elderly parents who also live there. A number of cats was suffering from urine scalding, ear and eye infections, malnourishment and dehydration.
Primrose has been charged with 45 counts of second-degree animal neglect and has been released from custody.
She relinquished ownership of the animals and the cats have been taken by the society for medical care and adoption placement.
Case UpdatesA 51-year-old woman charged with animal neglect in connection with 45 cats taken Aug. 22 from her home on Century Drive made her first appearance in Linn County Circuit Court Wednesday.
Jean Marie Primrose is charged with nine counts of second-degree animal neglect. For each count, she could face up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Primrose, who now lives in an adult foster care home, relied on Judge Glen Baisinger and her case worker to read and explain the information contained in the charging documents placed before her.
Baisinger appointed Albany attorney Kirk Tibbetts to represent her and told Primrose to contact Tibbetts before the end of the week.
Her next court appearance is set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at the Linn County Courthouse.
Originally, Primrose was charged with 45 counts of second-degree animal neglect. Prosecutor Coleen Cerda said later that although she faces only nine counts, all "45 cats are included in those counts. Each count deals with five cats."
Cerda said it is much easier to deal with nine counts in a trial rather than 45.
"What we're looking for here is to keep her from having any more pets," she said.
In July 2004, Primrose was cited for the neglect of 11 cats. There was no trial because Primrose was found to be "unable to aid and assist in her defense," Cerda said.
In August, deputies removed the 45 cats from a trailer at 38432 Century Drive following a report of animal neglect. Primrose was living with her elderly parents.
The cats were malnourished and dehydrated. Most needed medical attention.
The animals ranged in age from 3 weeks to adults. Many were taken to SafeHaven Humane Society. Executive Director Chris Storm said most have been spayed or neutered and are ready for adoption. A few of the kittens already have new homes.
Several of the cats were placed in foster care, and because of crowded conditions at the shelter, nine were taken to the Willamette Humane Society in Salem and five to the Oregon Humane Society in Portland.
For more information about adopting the cats in Albany, go to www.safehavenhumane.com or call (541) 928-2789. | Source: Albany Democrat-Herald - Sept 17, 2009
Update posted on Sep 17, 2009 - 4:33PM |
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