Case Details
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Case Snapshot
Case ID: 16261
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: horse
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Person(s) in animal care
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Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): Nancy Oglesby, Heidi Meinzer
Defense(s): Darvin Satterwhite
Judge(s): Edward K. Carpenter, Roger L. Morton



CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #16261 Rating: 2.8 out of 5



Neglect alleged at animal rescue
Hadensville, VA (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Mar 8, 2010
County: Goochland

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Annette Thompson

Case Updates: 5 update(s) available

A Hadensville woman will face two misdemeanor charges of animal neglect in Goochland District Court on April 12.

Annette Thompson operates the Pet Rescue Foundation in Hadensville.

Two warrants were sworn out last week against Thompson, one alleging animal cruelty, a class 1 misdemeanor, in the death of a horse last year at the foundation and one alleging animal neglect, a class 4 misdemeanor.

In a preliminary hearing on Monday, March 8 before Judge Edward Carpenter, the more serious charge involving the death of the horse was amended to a class 4 misdemeanor.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Oglesby said there was not enough evidence to support the more serious charge of animal cruelty.

Maximum penalty for a class 4 misdemeanor is a $250 fine.

According to Oglesby, Goochland Animal Control inspected the facility last week and found no current violations.


Case Updates

Annette Thompson, operator of the Pet Rescue Foundation in Hadensville, was found guilty last Tuesday on eight counts of inadequate animal care, a Class IV misdemeanor charge.

She was ordered to pay a total of $856 in fines and court costs. The maximum possible penalty for a Class IV misdemeanor case is a $250 fine.

At the end of the almost three-hour long trial, Thompson's attorney Darvin Satterwhite asked the court not to find her guilty.

"Any conviction would shut her down," said Satterwhite to Judge Roger L. Morton, who took over the case from Goochland District Court Judge Edward Carpenter.

Satterwhite argued that if not for Thompson's efforts, most of the dogs she has would be running loose with no care.

But Morton turned that argument aside.

"If you are going to help them, you're going to have to take it all the way," he said.

Morton said he had heard "enough evidence to convince me that these dogs did not receive adequate veterinary care."

During the trial, which involved nine charges of inadequate animal care brought by four complainants, the court heard testimony of dogs adopted from Thompson that were found to be suffering from heartworms, ear infections, bad teeth and other problems.

One case involved an older dog, "Elizabeth," with pressure sores, heartworms, hookworms, arthritis, ear infections and anemia.

Veterinarian Dr. Martin Tohill of Chantilly Animal Hospital in Northern Virginia testified when questioned by complainant Maria Cline that "all of these conditions are preventable."

But when questioned by Satterwhite, Dr. Tohill said he had not contacted the authorities in this case to report animal abuse.

Another case involved a now adopted dog that had been tethered on a short chain.

Veterinarian Dr. Daniel A. Kovich of the state Office of Veterinary Services stated that "In my opinion the chain was too short for the animal for the animal to receive adequate exercise."

But when questioned by Satterwhite, Dr. Kovich said he did not request charges be filed by Animal Control, although Goochland Animal Control did receive a letter summarizing observations from Dr. Kovich's inspection of February 5, 2009.

An inspection by Goochland Animal Control in March of this year resulted in a generally favorable report on Thompson's operation.

Thompson can appeal her conviction to Goochland Circuit Court, said Judge Morton.

"We feel that her being found guilty of these charges is a victory for the animals but just one step of many to get them off her property and into places where they can be properly cared for," said Sue Bell, one of the four complainants and Executive Director of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Northern Virginia.

The eight misdemeanor convictions ended an eight-month long saga of court hearings and continuances begun in March, which included the inclusion of a private prosecutor after the Goochland Commonwealth's Attorney's Office declined to prosecute.

That decision was then reversed by Judge Morton after Judge Carpenter had second thoughts about his decision to allow a private prosecutor.

Kovich said later in the week that the process to determine whether the Pet Rescue Foundation is a "home-based releasing agency" or whether the animals are privately owned by Thompson is currently underway.

If determined to be a releasing agency, Thompson would be limited to 50 dogs and could not have any convictions for animal neglect, said Kovich.

Thus the guilty verdicts for inadequate animal care could result in her being prohibited from keeping animals if her operation is indeed determined to be a releasing agency, he said.

Calls to Thompson's attorney Darvin Satterwhite and veterinarian Dr. Martin Tohill had not been returned at press time.
Source: goochlandgazette.com - Sept 29, 2010
Update posted on Dec 3, 2010 - 9:44AM 
After an Aug. 23 hearing, Judge Roger L. Morton, sitting in for Judge Edward K. Carpenter in Goochland County General District Court, ruled that a private prosecutor will not be allowed in the trial of Annette Thompson on nine counts of inadequate animal care.

The charges against Thompson, who operates the Pet Rescue Foundation in Hadensville, stem from an investigation by an ad hoc group of animal-welfare advocates.

The investigation led to two charges being filed against Thompson on Feb. 27, one a Class I misdemeanor charge in the death of a horse that later was determined to have been euthanized at the foundation.

That charge was reduced to a Class IV misdemeanor before being dismissed when it was determined that the one-year statute of limitations had run out.

That left one Class IV misdemeanor charge outstanding.

Thirteen new complaints were filed in early April. At the May 24 court date, a continuance was granted the complainants after Carpenter accepted Arlington County attorney Heidi Meinzer as their representative.

"I understand the decision," said Meinzer, whom Carpenter had allowed to represent the complainants at the July 12 hearing, when Meinzer dropped five of the charges and requested a continuance until Aug. 2.

Meinzer said she did not know why a substitute judge had been brought in on the case.

The Goochland commonwealth's attorney's office has said it will not participate in the case, although it has not objected to there being a private prosecutor.

Meinzer said she was frustrated at the continued delays, which have required the complainants and witnesses to come to so many court dates.

Animal-rights advocate Eileen McAfee, who investigated conditions at the Pet Rescue Foundation, said she also found the delays frustrating.

"From the beginning, I think it has been a ploy to make the case go away," McAfee said. "I think the county is trying to protect the Animal Control Department, which has failed to do the job the taxpayers have entrusted to them."

A new trial date has been set for Sept. 21 at 2 p.m., when Morton will preside.

The maximum penalty for each Class IV misdemeanor charge is a $250 fine.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch - Sept 12, 2010
Update posted on Sep 12, 2010 - 12:41PM 
A Goochland woman charged with 13 counts of inadequate animal care has had her trial date continued until July 12.

Pet Rescue Foundation operator Annette Thompson appeared with her attorney, Darvin Satterwhite, Monday in Goochland District Court.

But Judge Edward Carpenter granted the complainants a continuance after accepting Arlington attorney Heidi Meinzer as their representative.

All the charges facing Thompson are Class IV misdemeanors, the least serious, each punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Judge Carpenter explained that, according to a February ruling by the Virginia Attorney General, the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office not only is not obligated to prosecute such charges, but is prohibited from doing so.

“The Commonwealth’s Attorney cannot appear under this opinion,” said Judge Carpenter.

Thompson’s attorney Darvin Satterwhite opposed the continuance, saying he had subpoenaed witnesses and was ready to proceed with the trial.

After a brief recess, a new trial date was set for July 12 at 2 p.m., with attorney’s motions to be heard a half hour earlier.

An investigation by an ad hoc group of animal welfare advocates had led to two original charges being filed against Thompson on February 27, one a Class I misdemeanor charge in the death of a horse later determined to have been euthanized at the foundation.

That charge was reduced to a Class IV misdemeanor and then later dismissed when it was determined that the one year statute of limitations had run out, leaving one Class IV misdemeanor charge outstanding.

Satterwhite had asked for a continuance until May 24 after 13 new complaints were filed in early April.

“We honestly did not know what to expect,” said Suzanne Bell after the hearing. Bell is the complainant in five of the charges.
Source: Goochland Gazette - May 26, 2010
Update posted on Jun 9, 2010 - 4:23PM 
Pet Rescue Foundation operator Annette Thompson of Hadensville faces new charges after 13 more complaints of animal neglect were filed against her earlier this month.

Thompson had been scheduled to stand trial April 12 on the one remaining Class IV misdemeanor animal neglect charge facing her.

After Thompson’s attorney Darvin Satterwhite asked for a continuance, a trial on the misdemeanor and the newly filed charges is now scheduled for May 24 in Goochland General District Court.

An investigation by an ad hoc group of animal welfare advocates led to two original charges being filed on February 27, one a Class I misdemeanor charge in the death of a horse later determined to have been euthanized at the foundation.

That charge was reduced to a Class IV misdemeanor and then later dismissed when it was determined that the one year statute of limitations had run out.

“We’re grateful for the 13 additional warrants for animal abuse that were issued by the magistrate against Ms. Thompson,” said Eileen McAfee, who investigated the foundation. “For years, so many animals have suffered from her lack of proper care for them. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end for the Pet Rescue Foundation.”

However, McAfee said she worries about animals still at the Thompson site.

“We’re very concerned about the animals who are still suffering on her premises, some of whom are noted in the veterinary records attached to Animal Control’s Investigation Report of 3/5/10 posted on the Goochland Gazette’s Web site,” McAfee said. “So even more than a month after being served with the two initial complaints for abuse, Ms. Thompson continues to provide inadequate care to her animals. Thankfully, Goochland Animal Control Officers obtained veterinary care for them”

The new charges, filed by four individuals, allege neglect of a number of dogs adopted from the facility, and focus primarily on a lack of proper veterinary care.

One adopted dog was later euthanized and another died several months after adoption. Heartworm infections and Lyme disease were among the ailments suffered by the animals, according to the charges.

“We are investigating the charges and preparing for trial,” said Satterwhite when contacted Monday.
Source: Goochland Gazette - April 14, 2010
Update posted on Apr 14, 2010 - 11:53AM 
Animal-cruelty charges against a Hadensville-area woman were reduced Monday after a Goochland County prosecutor said too much time had elapsed since an allegedly malnourished horse died last year and that evidence in the case is lacking.

Annette Thompson, a longtime animal rescuer, will face up to $500 in penalties April 12 when she is scheduled to appear on two Class IV misdemeanors alleging cruelty and animal abuse. She had been charged with two Class I misdemeanors, which carry up to 12 months in jail.

Animal-rights groups say state and local animal-control investigators have not sufficiently investigated conditions on Thompson's property. But Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Oglesby said an inspection last week found no emergency medical conditions among the more than 100 dogs and cats there.

Thompson has operated the Pet Rescue Foundation on her property for more than 15 years. Oglesby said it is not clear whether the horse died of malnutrition and lack of care or simply old age. -- Bill McKelway
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch - March 9, 2010
Update posted on Mar 9, 2010 - 11:52PM 

References

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