Fostered dogs seized, blunt force trauma
Glendale, AZ (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jan 21, 2011
County: Maricopa

Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Tierney Baggot
» Michael David Wasmundt

A Glendale couple have been arrested for alleged animal abuse involving three puppies they were fostering from the Arizona Humane Society.

Tierney Baggot, 25, and Michael David Wasmundt, 28, were arrested Wednesday night by deputies with the Maricopa County Animal Cruelty Unit.

Authorities say the suspects were fostering the puppies since early January in their Glendale home and both had fulfilled foster care class requirements last February.

Baggot told deputies a large bag of dog food may have fallen on the dogs during the night causing the injuries, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

MCSO says Baggot took the puppies back to the Humane Society on Jan. 21, saying she had found the dogs in their "current condition" that morning. She reportedly stated to employees, "You probably will never let me foster again."

After being evaluated, a veterinarian determined the puppies' injuries were extensive and were consistent with severe blunt force trauma to the head.

One of the puppies suffered a severe eye injury, provoking a brain hemorrhage, another puppy had a broken jaw and facial trauma. Both dogs had to be euthanized. The third puppy survived with a cut to the right hip.

"This crime is made worse by the fact that this couple acted as foster parents," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "Foster parents go the extra mile caring for homeless animals, yet here we have two who allegedly inflicted serious injury on the animals? If it's proved true, this couple brings shame to foster parents everywhere who are usually giving and generous with their time, energy and money."

Baggot and Wasmundt face two counts of felony animal abuse and two counts of felony conspiracy to commit animal cruelty.

References

• myfoxphoenix.com - Feb 10, 2011

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