Animals left without care for 7 months Richmond, VA (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 27, 2003 County: Richmond City Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Amy Jernigan

Case ID: 2859 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in VA (US) Login to Watch this Case

A former Richmond Animal League volunteer who left 17 dogs and cats unattended for seven months in a condominium has been barred from owning or caring for any animals for at least two years.

That was part of an agreement worked out Wednesday (Oct 20, 2004) by a prosecutor and an attorney for Amy Jernigan, 40.

Under the agreement, Jernigan also must continue receiving psychiatric treatment.

Jernigan pleaded no contest in Chesterfield County General District Court to one count of animal cruelty for leaving the animals inside a Briarwood Hearth condo from about Thanksgiving to July 3. The animals were rescued after police, responding to complaints of a foul odor, discovered four dogs and 13 cats in the residence.

Judge John Dodson took Jernigan's case under advisement for two years. He will then dismiss the charge if she stays out of trouble and follows the court's instructions.

A professional cleanup crew spent several weeks cleaning and disinfecting the condo, carting out wheelbarrow loads of soiled carpet, destroyed furniture and other debris. Cleanup costs alone were said to reach $15,000.

There was no evidence the animals in the condo � owned by Jernigan's mother-in-law � had been mistreated.

Jernigan, who had moved out some months earlier, would periodically return to feed the animals.

Police described Jernigan as very remorseful. They said she apparently became overwhelmed by the situation.

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