New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!
Images for this Case
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #4612 Rating: 2.0 out of 5 (31 votes)
Monday, Jun 27, 1994
County: Mecklenburg
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Camille Hankins
Camille Hankins, 41, who now lives in Charlotte, was was convicted of animal cruelty in 1995 after PETA employees found over 80 cats and dogs living in her North Carolina home on June 27.
Described in the Canada Free Press as "Chief organizer for "Win Animal Rights" (W.A.R.), a New York City subgroup of SHAC that regularly holds intimidating late-night protests at targeted Americans' homes", Hankins was reportedly running a rescue, called AnimalSave.
Over 20 volunteers arrived at her Lathan Road home to help bathe and dip the animals. Hankins had called PETA for help in placing the animals for adoption after she received an eviction notice, and the animals rights group was shocked at the condition of the animals they found. Hankins reportedly claimed that PETA declined to help her, and spoke only of euthanizing the animals. The animals were confiscated by PETA and most were treated placed in new homes - about 20 were euthanized.
PETA investigator Teresa Gibbs testified that the animals running around outside were in unshaded pens and suffered from mange. Inside, she said she found cats and kittens in cages, animal feces and urine on the floors and walls, and more sick animals.
In the State of South Carolina v. Camille Hankins, Brian M. Gibbons tried this case back in 1995. In the South Carolina General Assembly (116th Session, 2005-2006) Journal of the Senate (No. 70 - May 6, 2005), Gibbons wrote:
"My client was charged with cruelty to animals. She had in excess of 80 dogs and cats in her house. A representative of PETA charged her and we had a day long trial in magistrate's court in front of a jury. Significant for the intense media scrutiny, both regional and national with PETA. Client convicted, received a small fine and last I heard is still rescuing animals in North Carolina. "
Judge James Sealy fined Hankins $205.
References
- The Herald - 100 animals found in home - Jun 28, 1994
- The Herald - Jury to be selected for animal cruelty case - Jul 6, 1994
- The Herald - Woman to fight animal abuse label - Jul 7, 1994
- The Herald - Jury chosen in animal abuse case - Jul 8, 1994
- The Herald - Pet owner convicted - Mar 23, 1995
- South Carolina General Assembly (116th Session, 2005-2006) Journal of the Senate (No. 70 - May 6, 2005)
- The Charlotte Observer - ANIMAL CRUELTY CONVICTION - March 23, 1995
- The Charlotte Observer - GOOD INTENTIONS END IN CRUELTY CHARGES - July 17, 1994
- The Charlotte Observer - VOLUNTEERS NURTURE 65 SEIZED CATS, DOGS - July 3, 1994
- The Charlotte Observer - RESCUER OF STRAY CATS AND DOGS ARRESTED June 28, 1994
« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Mecklenburg County, NC
