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Case ID: 16453
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Case #16453 Rating: 1.0 out of 5



Dog found emaciated
El Paso, TX (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jan 25, 2010
County: El Paso

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

Defendant/Suspect: Heather Okelley

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

The woman accused of neglecting her friend's dog after authorities say she was asked to take care of her plead not guilty on Monday.

Heather Okelley, 23, left County Court No. 1, after her arraignment where she showed up without a lawyer and plead not guilty for an animal cruelty charge.

"At this point she's going to have to present her case and prove that she didn't commit these offenses to this animal," said Rebecca Rojas with New Hope Alliance.

Rojas filed animal cruelty charges against Okelley in January when Animal Services took custody of a dog named Sadie because she was emaciated. Sadie was adopted by a Fort Bliss family, the Snows, from New Hope Alliance on Oct. 6. When Okelley talked to KFOX five months ago, she said she never agreed to take care of Sadie for the family. Police believe Sadie was in the care of Okelley when she was neglected.

"We have our story and she has her side. At this point if she doesn't change her plea or doesn't accept whatever is being offered to her we're going to trial," said Rojas.

We tried talking to Okelley after the hearing.

"Get out of my face before I hurt you," said Okelley and slammed the door on a KFOX photographer.

When the incident first happened, Rojas wasn't sure whether charges should be pressed against the Snows, who adopted Sadie. She said that may still be a possibility.

"At this point we're just waiting to see what happens with the Okelley case before we make a determination what's going to take place with the Snows," said Rojas.

Currently, Sadie is in a new home and much healthier now.

Before Okelley's hearing, the judge was waiting for her lawyer, but it turns out the attorney everyone was waiting on said he was not representing Okelley.


Case Updates

A woman accused of neglecting her friend's dog has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Heather Okelley was given one year probation, 120 hours of community service and was fined. . Animal cruelty charges were filed in January when Animal Services took custody of a dog named Sadie because she was badly malnourished.

Sadie had been adopted by a Fort Bliss family From New Hope Alliance on Oct. 6. Prosecutors said the family asked Okelley to care for Sadie when they left.
Source: kfoxtv.com - Nov 18, 2010
Update posted on Nov 18, 2010 - 8:17PM 
Heather Okelley, 23, the woman police said neglected her friend's dog, was in and out of court Friday after her lawyer rescheduled another pretrial hearing for September.

The last time we tried talking to Okelley, she yelled at our KFOX photographer, hit him and walked away before KFOX could ask her any questions.

As KFOX has reported, animal advocate Rebecca Rojas filed animal cruelty charges after Animal Services took custody of a dog named Sadie because she was emaciated.

Sadie was adopted by a Fort Bliss family, the Snows, from New Hope Alliance on Oct. 6. When Okelley talked to KFOX five months ago, she said she never agreed to take care of Sadie for the family. Police believe Sadie was in the care of Okelley when she was neglected.

"We're hopeful that she does get the maximum penalty, both monetary and if so jail time for what she did in committing this crime," said Rojas.
Source: KFOX - Aug 6, 2010
Update posted on Aug 10, 2010 - 2:31AM 

References

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