Case Snapshot
Case ID: 17087
Classification: Hoarding
Animal: dog (non pit-bull), horse, cow, other farm animal
More cases in Franklin County, VA
More cases in VA
« Back to Search Results
Login to Watch this Case

New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!


Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): Patrick Nix
Judge(s): George Jones


Images for this Case

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.



Friday, Sep 24, 2010

County: Franklin

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Heidi Ann Sendall

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

A Henry woman has been charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty.

Heidi Ann Sendall, 49, has been charged with failing to provide adequate food and care for four horses, two calves, a donkey and a pony, according to Capt. Marvin Woods with Franklin County Animal Control.

According to Virginia law, the seizure of an equine can only be done by a state veterinarian. And the seizure of agricultural animals can only be done on the recommendation of the state veterinarian.

Woods has been working with the state veterinarian's office for six months to get a recommendation to seize the animals, he said.

In April, Woods contacted Sendall about the condition of her animals, and she signed an agreement, promising to provide hay for the animals in the pasture at all times, Woods said. The agreement was based on the recommendation of Dr. Jonathan Winslow, a state veterinarian. Woods sent photographs of the animals to Winslow, who scored the condition of the animals as a 3 on a scale of 1 to 9 at that time, Woods said.

But after observing the animals in the pasture without adequate food on several more occasions and contacting Sendall, Woods obtained the warrants for animal cruelty, he said.

When Deputy B.C. Webb with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office served the warrants, he observed several dogs, which he described as "extremely thin with their bones showing through their skin. At least one dog had an open wound or sore on its back," according to a search warrant affidavit. At that time, Webb took photographs of the dogs.

Webb contacted Sendall, and she said she was out of town, according to the affidavit. Webb was so concerned about the dogs, he purchased food for them.

With the information obtained by Webb, Woods was able to seize three Great Danes, a poodle and a mixed-breed dog at Sendall's residence on Will Hill Road earlier this week. The dogs have been taken to a veterinary hospital, where they are being treated for malnourishment, wounds and skin conditions, Woods said.

A hearing is set in Franklin County General District Court on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. to determine whether the seized animals have been cruelly treated, according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Nix.

If neglect or cruelty is determined by the court, Sendall could face more charges and be ordered to pay the expenses incurred by the county for the care and treatment of the animals. She could also be prohibited from owning or possessing any companion animals.

Animal cruelty is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.


Case Updates

A Franklin County woman recently plead guilty to several counts of animal cruelty.

In the fall, animal control officers seized the bare bones animals from Heidi Ann Sendall. As part of a plea deal she can not have them back.

Ten weeks after they were confiscated, four horses, two cows, a mule and a pony are in need of homes.

The horses which were in bad shape and nearing 120 pounds when they were first brought to the Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue are thriving today.

Pat Muncy, founder of the Rescue says food and attention has made a world of difference.

"They've had a lot of handling and I really believe they be fine to get back under saddle and riding again," says Muncy.

Because the Rescue is expecting a new batch of horses any day, it's eager to find the animals homes. So far Muncy has received a few calls.

The animals are being housed at the RVHR; however, the Franklin County Animal Shelter is handing the adoption. To learn more about adopting the animals click here.
Source: wdbj7.com - Dec 21, 2010
Update posted on Dec 21, 2010 - 11:05PM 
A Ferrum woman will be on probation for two years after pleading guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty charges in General District Court Wednesday.

Heidi Ann Sendall had been charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty, but 21 of those charges were dropped as a result of a plea agreement.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Nix told Judge George Jones that Sendall would plead guilty on five counts related to the care of five dogs and three counts related to livestock.

Although she was sentenced to 12 months on each of the eight counts, all the jail time was suspended as long as she is of good behavior for two years.

Sendall will be allowed to have two companion animals, a dog and a cat, and can petition the court in 12 months for permission to own livestock and additional companion animals.

Sendall, who gave up her ownership of five dogs at a hearing in late September, will also pay $5,100 for the care and medical treatment of the livestock that was removed from her property.

She had contested the seizure of the livestock.

The dogs, four horses, two calves, a donkey and a pony were seized by Franklin County Animal Control in September.

Sendall, 49, was initially charged with failing to provide adequate food and care for the farm animals, according to Capt. Marvin Woods with Franklin County Animal Control.

When Deputy B.C. Webb with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office served the warrants, he observed several dogs, which he described as "extremely thin with their bones showing through their skin. At least one dog had an open wound or sore on its back," according to a search warrant affidavit.

With Webb's observations, Woods was able to seize three Great Danes, a poodle and a mixed-breed dog at Sendall's residence on Will Hill Road. The dogs were treated for malnourishment, wounds and skin conditions.

Later, the horses, donkey, cows and pony were seized. All the animals have recovered.

Animal cruelty is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Source: thefranklinnewspost.com - Dec 17, 2010
Update posted on Dec 17, 2010 - 9:11PM 
A Henry woman gave up ownership of five dogs that were seized by the county last week, but she is contesting the seizure of livestock by animal control officers.

Heidi Ann Sendall, who has been charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty, was in General District court Thursday morning for a hearing on the seizure of her animals.

Sendall's attorney, Hart Donaldson, told Judge George Jones that Sendall did not contest the seizure of the dogs and agreed to pay for their upkeep through Thursday. The dogs are now in the care of local veterinarian Dr. Eric Krauss, who said the animals are recovering.

But Donaldson asked for a 10-day continuance on the seizure of the livestock, which includes four horses, two calves, a donkey and a pony, all of which are now being cared for and will recover.

Jones said a hearing on the seizure of the animals and the criminal charges will be held on the same day, but a court date has not yet been set.

Sendall, 49, has been charged with failing to provide adequate food and care for the animals, according to Capt. Marvin Woods with Franklin County Animal Control.

When Deputy B.C. Webb with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office served the warrants, he observed several dogs, which he described as "extremely thin with their bones showing through their skin. At least one dog had an open wound or sore on its back," according to a search warrant affidavit.

Woods seized three Great Danes, a poodle and a mixed-breed dog at Sendall's residence on Will Hill Road last week. The dogs are being treated for malnourishment, wounds and skin conditions.

Animal cruelty is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Source: thefranklinnewspost.com - Oct 1, 2010
Update posted on Dec 17, 2010 - 9:10PM 

References

« Back to Search Results
« VA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Franklin County, VA

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.