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Case #16927 Rating: 3.5 out of 5
120 dogs rescued from shelter
Hector, AR (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010
County: Pope
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Jan Plant
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
The ASPCA, at the request of the Pope County Sheriff's Office and in conjunction with Best Friends Animal Society, removed more than 120 dogs living in extremely overcrowded and unsanitary conditions from a volunteer-run animal rescue, approximately four miles south of Hector, Ark.
A Pope County animal hospital is serving as a last hope for more than 100 dogs.
This after authorities siezed them from the home of an elderly woman Tuesday.
"They were actually out there killing each other off and feeding off of each other," says veterinarian Corry Key.
Dozens of kennels are contained within the Southwind Animal Hospital in Russellville. Animal rescue groups say was attention was scarce on the overcrowded 40-acre stretch of land near Hector.
"There was a lot of garbage and a lot of debris around. It was definitely not ideal conditions for animals to be living in," says Kristen Lambert with the ASPCA.
The woman responsible for the dogs at one time is not being named, but had reportedly created an animal rescue partnership with the local humane society.
Before deputies executed the warrant, they called in Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA to assist in the seizure.
"Every animal case is different, but at the same time one person taking care of 123 animals, that's just a tough situation," says Ryan Ault with the Best Friends Animal Society.
Other volunteers are stepping in selflessly to assist the hospital.
Question: "Are you willing to give up your Thanksgiving weekend?"
"Yes sir, I will spend every hour here tomorrow and today or Friday for whatever it takes and whatever they need."
It is unknown yet if the woman police say is responsible for the hoarding will face charges, but they do say the case will be turned over to prosecutors for review early next week.
If you are interested in helping or would like additional information about the animals, please contact Best Friends Staff Volunteer Coordinator in AR, Angela Rovetto or email Anna Gonce at [email protected]. You can also contact the Southwind Animal Shelter, where more than 100 dogs were taken.
Case UpdatesA Hector woman pleaded guilty or no contest to two charges of cruelty to animals and received a suspended sentence of one year and a fine of $150, along with $150 costs, according to documents filed in Pope County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
As part of the special conditions of her suspended sentence, Jan Plant, 66, is not permitted to "own, operate, manage or otherwise supervise the operations at an animal care or treatment facility." The special conditions call for Plant to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. She was ordered to serve one day in the Pope County Detention Center, which was credited as time already served.
If Plant violates any conditions of the suspended sentence, she could face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
A call to Plant's attorney Sam Eastman seeking comment was not returned Thursday.
Plant was arrested March 2 after more than 100 dogs were seized from her property on Rock Springs Loop, many of them sick, starving and living under conditions that were "very unsanitary and inhuman for their custody and care," according to a law enforcement affidavit.
According to court documents, two preventable diseases, mange and Parvo, were found among the dogs after they were inspected by a veterinarian. Records also indicated 13 animals later died "due to their weakened condition and lack of nutrition and the presence of other untreated conditions."
Investigators noticed several animals "appeared to be aggressive towards humans" and were not restrained.
The investigation began when a report of suspected animal cruelty was given to the Pope County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 12, 2010. On Nov. 18, deputies searched the property, confirming the report which included information from a certified animal cruelty investigator, according to court documents.
Plant posted a $2,500 bond and was released from jail March 2. | Source: couriernews.com - Aug 12, 2011
Update posted on Aug 12, 2011 - 5:21PM |
Jan Plant is charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals stemming from the November seizure of more than 100 dogs - many of them sick and starving - from her property on Rock Springs Loop.
Her trial date has been continued to Aug. 9. | Source: couriernews.com - Jul 5, 2011
Update posted on Jul 6, 2011 - 7:08PM |
More than three months after officials shuttered a Hector-area animal rescue operation amid claims the conditions there were overcrowded and unsanitary, the facility's operator appeared in a court hearing Wednesday following her arrest.
Jan Plant is charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals stemming from the November seizure of more than 100 dogs �" many of them sick and starving �" from her property on Rock Springs Loop.
According to court documents, 13 of the animals later died "due to their weakened condition and lack of nutrition and the presence of other untreated conditions."
Mange and Parvo �" a contagious and often lethal, but preventable, virus that affects dogs �" were prevalent at the site, according to records, which also noted several animals that "appeared to be aggressive toward humans" were not restrained.
"The conditions for the animals were very unsanitary and inhuman for their custody and care," the court document summarized.
District Judge Don Bourne ordered Plant held in lieu of $2,500 bond, which she posted Wednesday. She is free pending a March plea appearance in circuit court.
Background
The investigation was sparked after the Pope County Sheriff's Office received a report of suspected animal cruelty Nov. 12, including information from Molli Corbin, a certified animal cruelty investigator.
A Nov. 18 search by deputies confirmed earlier reports of poor conditions, according to court documents, and the animals were seized. | Source: couriernews.com - Mar 3, 2011
Update posted on Mar 3, 2011 - 10:01PM |
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