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Case #6578 Rating: 3.2 out of 5
Hoarding 84 dogs, 26 birds, goats
Edna Valley, CA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005
County: San Luis Obispo
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Cynthia L Walsh
Case Updates: 18 update(s) available
On December 14, 2005, Sheriff's deputies in San Luis Obispo County find more than a hundred animals living in one home and more than a dozen frozen or refrigerated.
The renter of the home, 56-year-old Cynthia Walsh has been arrested and booked on suspicion of animal cruelty.
84 dogs, 26 birds, and even goats are calling an animal shelter in San Luis Obispo home now after being removed by Sheriff's deputies from a home on Greengate Lane. "There were feces all over the floor, carpets were worn out right through the wood where these animals were living" says San Luis Obispo Sheriff Deputy Brian Hascall.
"In the last four years that I have been with animal services, this is certainly the largest set of animals I've dealt with in one location or any one specific case," says Eric Anderson from Animal Services.
The Animal Shelter is in need of blankets for the animals, if you'd like to donate contact Animal Services.
Case UpdatesThe husband of a woman convicted of animal cruelty is suing San Luis Obispo County for $1 million, claiming his rights were violated when animals were taken from his home and given away.
Harold Walsh also alleges sheriff's deputies violated his rights by searching his extensive gun collection without him in the room and seizing ammunition they have yet to return.
His wife Cynthia Walsh was found guilty in May of animal neglect, animal abuse and failure to have permits for the more than 120 animals in her home.
Sheriff Pat Hedges calls the incident "one of the most disturbing cases our Animal Services Division has handled" and says he has confidence in the Animal Services staff's management of the case. | Source: San Jose Mercury News - Nov 15, 2007
Update posted on Nov 16, 2007 - 2:54AM |
She stood trial in the largest animal cruelty case in San Luis Obispo County history. Now, for the first time, Cynthia Walsh gives her side of the story.
In December 2005, County Animal Services officers seized 134 animals from Walsh's Edna Valley home. Two months ago, a jury found her not guilty on six felony counts of animal cruelty, but guilty of misdemeanor animal neglect.
Today, a judge sentenced Walsh to ten days in county jail and five years probation. She also cannot own a pet until she undergoes psychiatric counseling.
Walsh spoke exclusively to Action News reporter Andrew Masuda. He's live with her story.
After what she calls a waste of taxpayer money for pursuing ridiculous charges against her, Walsh says she's finally breaking her silence to give her side of the story.
"I feel that I was targeted, set up and railroaded," says Walsh.
Just minutes after a judge ordered her to undergo psychiatric counseling and forbade her from owning a pet, Cynthia Walsh maintains her innocence.
"They say I'm in denial because I think I should cop up to something that I did wrong and I won't," says Walsh. "I'm a lady of convictions and I won't do it."
Walsh says she spent $85,000 purchasing her animals. She calls them her pride and joy, her family. She says their absence still hurts.
"It's been heart-wrenching," says Walsh. "I cry every day. Every day of my life. I miss my animals. The pain doesn't go away. It will never go away."
What's painful to prosecutors is the neglect they say Walsh's animals suffered at her expense -- living in what they described as substandard and unsanitary conditions.
Prosecutor Nancy Fede hopes Walsh receives the counseling she needs to prevent a cycle of neglect.
"I'm hoping that this shook her up to realize that she does have some issues that she needs to deal with," says Fede. "And hopefully that will be the case. Because, yes, that's my biggest concern -- that we don't have to come back and see this repeated again."
Walsh says she's on a crusade to right the wrong that's been done to her and her animals.
"The criminal case is over," says Walsh," but there's a lot more to the story to be said. It's not over yet."
This may be the first time you've heard from Walsh, but it's not the last.
After her civil case against the county was dismissed yesterday, Walsh says she and her husband will pursue legal action at the federal level. She says her motivation is not financial, but her dogs.
Walsh may one day own a pet, but not until the judge is satisfied with her counseling. For now, she will just continue to operate her business ... as a pet sitter.
Walsh says she will ask to serve the jail time under house arrest. The judge also ordered Walsh to pay the county restitution for caring for her animals. The bill is estimated at almost $130,000. | Source: KSBY - Feb 7, 2007
Update posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 12:49AM |
A judge sentenced an Edna Valley woman Wednesday to ten days in jail and five years of probation including counseling after she was convicted of animal neglect in one of the county's largest animal cruelty cases.
Cynthia Walsh, 57, was also ordered to pay an undetermined amount of restitution to the county for housing more than 100 animals seized Dec. 14, 2005 at her home. | Source: San Luis Obispo - Feb 7, 2007
Update posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 12:47AM |
An Edna Valley woman accused of mistreating her 121 animals pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of animal cruelty Wednesday morning in exchange for the San Luis Obispo County district attorney dismissing four remaining felony counts against her.
Last month, a four-woman, eight-man jury found Cynthia "Cindy" Walsh, 57, guilty of two misdemeanor charges of failing to properly care for animals and a third misdemeanor of owning more than four animals without a permit. They acquitted her of a felony charge of animal cruelty.
Wednesday's plea brings the total to four misdemeanors, for which she is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 7 in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
Walsh was on trial for three weeks in December, charged with six felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one misdemeanor count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
The jury was hung 11-1 on the five remaining felony charges relating to 84 small-breed dogs living inside Walsh's three-bedroom home, separate from 10 large-breed dogs living outside, and 8-4 on one misdemeanor count of failing to properly care for animals.
Superior Court Judge John Trice declared a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a verdict on the five felony charges, and Wednesday both sides reached a resolution instead of proceeding with a new trial.
"I don't think either side was real happy with the resolution," Trice said after Walsh entered her no-contest plea. "But in my mind, that's usually a good middle ground."
Prosecuting attorney Nancy Fede wasn't available for comment about the decision to offer Walsh a plea bargain instead of refiling the five felony charges against her.
After the hearing, a visibly relieved Walsh said she was happy that she doesn't have to face another lengthy and emotional jury trial.
"I always knew I was innocent; I go to bed every night with a clear conscience," Walsh said outside the courtroom. "I'm just glad that it's over with, and I still want my dogs back."
Walsh's animals, which also included seven cats, four goats and one duck, were seized from her home Dec. 14, 2005, after Division of Animal Control officers served a search warrant at the residence. Walsh was also arrested that day on suspicion of animal abuse.
Walsh's animals were housed at the County Division of Animal Services shelter in San Luis Obispo, and the majority of the animals, mostly the small-breed dogs, were adopted out in mid-April.
Walsh's attorney, Ilan Funke-Bilu, said Wednesday he wasn't pleased with the court's decision but was happy his client didn't have to go through another trial.
"Sometimes in life, you know it was the right decision, but you don't have to be pleased with it," Funke-Bilu said. "I think the court said it correctly - I'm not pleased with the resolution." | Source: Santa Maria Times - Jan 11, 2007
Update posted on Jan 11, 2007 - 8:33AM |
An Edna Valley woman was found guilty Wednesday of three animal cruelty charges while jurors remained deadlocked on the remaining six counts, leading a Superior Court judge to declare a mistrial on those charges.
Cynthia Walsh was found guilty of three misdemeanors: not having proper permits, animal neglect and animal abuse, according to court officials.
Jurors were deadlocked 11-1 in favor of a guilty verdict on five felony charges of animal abuse and 8-4 for guilty on one misdemeanor animal neglect charge, court officials said. Criminal verdicts must be unanimous.
Walsh, 57, could face time in County Jail for the misdemeanor convictions, according to attorneys.
About a year ago, authorities seized more than 100 animals from Walsh's home including dogs, cats and birds. Jurors were told that the animals had health problems and were neglected.
Prosecutor Nancy Fede said her office had not decided whether to retry Walsh on the deadlocked charges.
"(Jurors) worked really hard to reach a verdict they thought was fair and just," Fede said. "We have a few weeks to decide."
The next court date is Jan. 10.
Defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu said he was disappointed with the verdicts.
"I should be grateful that the jury didn't convict her of any of the felonies," Funke-Bilu said. "But I'm disappointed. I've always believed my client was innocent. I still believe she's innocent."
Funke-Bilu said he plans to represent Walsh if the District Attorney's office retries her.
San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge John Trice instructed Walsh that she cannot have animals until she is sentenced.
Jurors began deliberations anew Wednesday after a juror did not return from a holiday break in the trial.
Trice replaced him with the last remaining alternate.
During the trial, prosecutors described filthy, cluttered conditions in Walsh's home with rooms that reeked of urine.
Funke-Bilu responded that conditions at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter where Walsh's animals were held were no better than at Walsh's home.
Seven of her animals died at the shelter, he said.
Walsh testified in her own defense that she loved the animals and that none of them had suffered under her care. | Source: The Tribune - Dec 28, 2006
Update posted on Dec 28, 2006 - 12:03PM |
Issues with the jury in San Luis Obispo County's largest-ever animal cruelty case have pushed the proceedings into next week, after Christmas, with the potential that deliberations might have to start all over again.
After more than fours hours Wednesday afternoon, the jury told Superior Court Judge John Trice they were hopelessly deadlocked in the case against 57-year-old Cynthia Walsh of Edna Valley.
Walsh is on trial on six felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one misdemeanor count of owning more than four animals without a permit. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Animal Control officers served a search warrant at Walsh's home in December 2005 and seized 121 animals, mostly small-breed dogs that were living inside the three-bedroom home.
By late Wednesday afternoon, the eight-man, four-woman jury told Trice they had reached a verdict only on the single count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
They also told him they had been deliberating since before noon without coming to any consensus on the eight remaining charges, and the outlook for reaching consensus wasn't good.
Instead of declaring a mistrial, Trice sent the jury home for the evening with instructions to return at 9 a.m. Thursday to deliberate until at least noon.
One of the jurors was supposed to leave town early Thursday morning but told Trice he was willing to postpone his trip for several hours to try to reach a verdict.
But on Thursday morning, another juror was sick, forcing Trice to replace that juror with an alternate, which took until after 10 a.m. At that point, Trice ordered the jury to return at 9 a.m. Dec. 27, although the jury foreman has plans to leave town Christmas Day and not return until Jan. 19.
If the foreman does not return Dec. 27, a new juror will have to be selected from the pool of alternates, and that could force deliberations to begin all over again.
Walsh's attorney, Ilan Funke-Bilu, said if the jury remains deadlocked at the end of that day, it will be up to Trice to send them back for more deliberations or declare a mistrial.
"I don't ever remember being involved in a case with so many issues with the jury after the case has been given to the jury," Funke-Bilu said.
"I'm disappointed the jury has had to struggle this far," he said, adding he is also disappointed the jury has not acquitted his client.
He noted the case has been very difficult for Walsh: "It's been hard for her since Dec. 14, 2005, when her life was ripped away from her. Her family (of animals) was taken away from her, and it doesn't get any easier." | Source: Santa Maria Times - Dec 22, 2006
Update posted on Dec 22, 2006 - 1:11PM |
The fate of Cynthia Walsh now rests in the hands of an eight-man, four-woman jury, who heard closing arguments on Dec 19 morning in the county's largest-ever animal-cruelty trial.
Walsh, 57, is facing six felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
If Walsh is found guilty of all nine charges, she could face a maximum sentence of more than six years in state prison. She could also receive probation.
Jurors were instructed Tuesday by Superior Court Judge John Trice that if they don't believe Walsh is guilty of felony crimes, they can find her guilty of a lesser charge of misdemeanor animal neglect.
Walsh was arrested Dec. 14, 2005, at her Edna Valley home after officers from San Luis Obispo County Division of Animal Services served a search warrant there and seized 121 live animals and 13 dead dogs and puppies.
Most of the animals seized were small-breed dogs that lived inside the 1,700-square-foot, three-bedroom home. Walsh also kept 10 dogs and seven cats outside, along with four goats and a duck.
The prosecution contends Walsh's dogs lived lives of needless suffering because the defendant "turned a blind eye" to their needs.
When Walsh's animals were seized last year, the majority of them were suffering from periodontal disease, flea infestation, urine scalding and fur matted with feces and urine, according to prosecution evidence.
The prosecution also showed jurors a video documenting unsanitary conditions - urine- and feces-soaked floors, dog bedding covered in feces, walls covered with dirt and feces and general clutter - at the Walsh home Dec. 14, 2005.
The defense claims Walsh didn't neglect her animals and that they were treated worse while housed at the Animal Services shelter than they ever were in her care.
Seven of Walsh's animals died, two dogs lost an eye and one dog became pregnant while at Animal Services.
Deputy District Attorney Nancy Fede implored the jury Tuesday to find Walsh guilty on all charges and not fall for the defense's case of "smoke and mirrors."
"This case has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt," Fede said during her hour-long closing arguments. "When you put aside the smoke and mirrors ... and any sympathy you may feel for the defendant, you'll find the evidence is proof beyond a reasonable doubt."
Defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu told the jury he didn't want them to feel sympathy for his client but to instead consider the evidence, which he said doesn't prove Walsh is criminally negligent.
"You need evidence, and the buck stops here," Funke-Bilu said, adding that his client didn't cause any of her animals' lives to be placed in danger, which must be proven to find Walsh guilty of felony animal cruelty.
"Our position is very clear - Cindy loved those animals and did not turn a blind eye to them that caused her to love them to death," he said. "She loved them to life." | Source: Santa Maria Times - Dec 20, 2006
Update posted on Dec 20, 2006 - 10:18PM |
The Edna Valley woman accused of six felony counts of animal cruelty told the jury of eight men and four women, who will ultimately decide her fate, that she never caused her 121 animals to needlessly suffer.
Cynthia "Cindy" Walsh is currently on trial for the six felonies, plus two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
Walsh testified in her own defense on Wednesday and Thursday, telling jurors that she was a kind and caring woman, who gave up everything for her animals.
"I never let those dogs go for any reason at all," Walsh said under cross examination Thursday morning. "They were always taken care of, even if I was in pain."
Walsh was arrested Dec. 14, 2005, at her home after County Division of Animal Services officers served a search warrant there and seized 121 live animals and 13 dead dogs and puppies.
Most of the animals seized were small-breed dogs that lived inside the small three-bedroom Walsh home.
Photographs taken of Walsh's home on the day of the seizure document unsanitary conditions, including dirt-covered walls, feces on the floor and a dead mouse on the kitchen counter.
The prosecution contends that Walsh inflicted "gross neglect" on her animals, which caused them to live lives of needless suffering.
According to prosecution evidence, when the dogs were seized from Walsh, the majority of them were suffering from periodontal disease, flea infestation, urine scalding and fur matted with feces.
However, when Walsh testified she told the court that she groomed her dogs when needed, treated them for fleas, let them outside every day and cleaned their bedding and her home on a daily basis.
"I cleaned the floors every day, and if the dogs had an accident, I cleaned that up too," she said, adding she spent half of every day washing the dogs' bedding. "My dogs didn't look like (they did in the pictures) at my house, ever."
Walsh also testified that she was in constant pain during the month of December 2005, which caused her to "let her house go" so she could attend to her animals' needs.
She also said that when Animal Services officers arrived at her home, which was around 9 a.m., she had just woken up and hadn't had time to clean. | Source: Santa Maria Times - Dec 15, 2006
Update posted on Dec 15, 2006 - 3:28PM |
A defense witness in San Luis Obispo County's largest-ever animal-cruelty trial told jurors Tuesday that animals seized as part of the case were mistreated while housed at Animal Services.
"The only human contact (the dogs had) was from the prisoners who fed them and cleaned out their pens," Mary Paulson, a former volunteer at the county's animal shelter, said during the sixth day of trial. "They
didn't have much human contact at all."
More than 120 animals, mostly small-breed dogs, were seized from Cynthia Walsh's Edna Valley home last December after the Sheriff's Department received a tip Walsh was mistreating her animals.
Walsh, 57, was arrested at her home Dec. 14, 2005, and is on trial for six counts of felony animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
If convicted on all counts, the maximum sentence Walsh could receive is six years and four months in state prison; the minimum sentence is probation.
Paulson, a defense witness, also testified that Walsh's dogs were kept in dirty and confined quarters, contradicting earlier testimony from Animal Services Manager Dr. Eric Anderson that the dogs were housed "in optimal conditions."
She told the court that the small-breed dogs were kept at the back of the rural San Luis Obispo shelter in small, cramped kennels, with eight to 12 dogs in a kennel.
"They looked packed in there together and like they were not being taken care of," Paulson said of the one time she was able to catch a glimpse of the dogs, which she said no one could see unless a door to the area where they were being housed was open.
Paulson also testified that the one time she had contact with the small dogs - shelter volunteers weren't allowed to handle the animals because they were evidence in the case against Walsh - they were in poor condition.
"These dogs reeked of urine and feces," she said about the time in late March or early April she got permission to dry the dogs off after they were caught in a rain storm and became "soaked to the bone."
She added, "They were full of urine and feces. Their pens were full of urine and feces, and their bedding was full of urine and feces."
Walsh's animals were housed at Animal Services from Dec. 14 until early this past summer, when they were put up for adoption. Some of the animals were also put up for adoption in mid-April.
During the prosecution's presentation of its case last week, jurors were told that Walsh was guilty of animal cruelty because of the "gross neglect" she inflicted on her animals, such as having them live in their own urine and feces.
Testimony in the case is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court in front of Judge John Trice. | Source: Santa Maria Times - Dec 13, 2006
Update posted on Dec 14, 2006 - 1:02AM |
The trial involving the largest animal cruelty case in San Luis Obispo County history enters its second week. And for the first time, we hear from the defense.
We begin with the facts first in the Cynthia Walsh trial:
The 57-year-old Edna Valley woman faces six counts of cruelty to an animal.
Animal Control officers seized 134 dogs, cats, goats and birds from Walsh's home last December. 13 of the animals were dead.
Walsh has plead not guilty to all charges.
Earlier this year, almost 80 of Walsh's animals were adopted out to county residents.
Prosecutors say that Walsh's animals suffered needlessly. However, her defense attorney argues the animals received worse care after they were taken away from his client.
The defense called Dr. Liz Bracken to the stand today. She's a veterinarian who examined 83 of Walsh's animals three months after they were seized. Bracken said the conditions in the County Animal Services kennel at the time of her examination were far from ideal. She said it had an over powering smell and that many of the animals were wet inside their kennel runs.
"They're cement kennels," says Dr. Bracken, "so once you wash them down, they stay wet for a period of time, especially when it's cool. So the animals walk around in urine and feces and water. And it all gets mixed together."
Bracken said one dog became pregnant at Animal Services. Another lost an eye.
Her testimony challenges that of County Animal Services Director, Dr. Eric Anderson, who examined the animals days after they were seized. Anderson testified for the prosecution last week and said the animals suffered from gross neglect, improper care and lived in unsanitary conditions while under Walsh's care.
Last week, another witness testified Walsh's Edna Valley home was lined with urine and feces and that investigators found 12 dead dogs in Walsh's freezer and one in the refrigerator.
Walsh is expected to take the stand in her own defense later this week.
Walsh faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison. | Source: KSBY - Dec 11, 2006
Update posted on Dec 12, 2006 - 1:54PM |
The 121 animals seized last year from an Edna Valley woman lived lives of needless suffering inflicted upon them by their owner, testified Dr. Eric Anderson, manager of San Luis Obispo County Division of Animal Services, on Wednesday.
Anderson is testifying against Cynthia Walsh, 57, who is on trial for six felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals and one count of owning more than four animals without a license.
But during cross-examination of Anderson on Wednesday afternoon, the jury heard and saw evidence that not all the animals were in poor health when they were seized. Walsh's attorney also alleged incompetence on the part of Animal Services.
The eight-man, four-woman jury also heard testimony that some of the animals - three birds and one dog - died while in the care of Animal Services, one dog became pregnant at the shelter and another lost its eye.
Defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu asked Anderson if he performed a necropsy on the dead dog, which died in April. Anderson said he didn't.
"So all this jury knows is that a dog died, but we don't know how," Funke-Bilu said.
Testimony also revealed the dog that became pregnant at Animal Services was initially tagged as a female dog at the time of seizure and then retagged as a male dog during an exam performed by Anderson. | Source: Santa Maria Times - Dec 7, 2006
Update posted on Dec 7, 2006 - 5:03PM |
The eight men and four women who will decide Cynthia Walsh's fate heard opening arguments Monday in San Luis Obispo County's largest-ever animal-cruelty case.
Walsh, 57, is facing six felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for animals, and one count of owning more than four animals without a permit.
She was arrested Dec. 14, 2005, at her three-bedroom Edna Valley home after the Sheriff's Department served a search warrant there and seized 124 live animals, mostly small breed dogs, and 13 dead dogs.
The dead animals - nine puppies and four adult dogs - were found in Walsh's kitchen freezer; One of the nine dead puppies was found wrapped in a towel in the refrigerator.
Prosecutor Nancy Fede told the jury that the case wasn't about whether Walsh loved her animals but was about the "gross neglect" she inflicted on them.
"This case is about turning a blind eye to her animals' needless suffering," Fede said. "The evidence will show by far that the majority of the animals were suffering from improper care and neglect."
Defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu didn't offer opening arguments, instead opting to present his opening remarks after the prosecution rests its case.
The dogs seized from Walsh's home suffered from severe fur matting - their fur was matted with feces and dirt - periodontal disease, flea infestation and urine scalding, according to testimony from Department of Animal Services Officer Christi Allison, the lead officer in the case.
Allison also testified that most of the dogs were kept inside the small house and had to live in their own urine and feces, which she said constituted neglect.
Jurors were shown photographs taken the day of the seizure depicting urine-soaked floors and feces in every room of the house, where the dogs were housed. Twenty-one small dogs were confined to living in the home's kitchen.
"The conditions weren't acceptable or sanitary for an animal to live in," Allison told the jury, noting she was "overwhelmed" when she got onto the property. "It was endangering their health and lives to be forced to stay in a situation like that."
Photographs of Walsh's yard, where 10 large breed dogs were found, show large piles of feces that Allison said were between five inches and one foot deep.
"There was nowhere to step and not be able to step on feces," she said.
The animals seized from Walsh's home last year included 83 dogs, 19 birds, seven cats, four goats and a duck.
If convicted on all counts, Walsh faces a maximum sentence of more than six years in state prison. She has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The trial is e expected to last two weeks, and will resume at 9 a.m. today in Superior Court before Judge John Trice. | Source: Lompoc Record - Dec 5, 2006
Update posted on Dec 5, 2006 - 10:44AM |
The largest animal cruelty case in San Luis Obispo County history is now underway, and some disturbing new details emerged during day one of the Cynthia Walsh trial.
The 57-year-old faces six felony counts of cruelty to an animal. Officers from animal services seized 134 dogs, cats, goats and birds from Walsh's Edna Valley home last December. Walsh has pled not guilty to all charges.
Some conditions at Walsh's home that were described today during day the opening statements were a mouse trap with a dead rodent inside, urine and feces saturated carpets and a backyard with feces five to twelve inches deep.
"This case is about the defendant turning a blind eye to her animals' needless suffering," said prosecutor Nancy Fede. "The majority of the animals were suffering from gross neglect, improper care and were confined to unsanitary conditions."
Jurors saw the unsanitary conditions in photos taken inside the thousand square foot home. One shows 21 dogs found in the kitchen, where piles of feces are visible on the floor. Animal Control Officer Christi Allison, the prosecution's first witness, said a dozen more dogs and puppies were found dead in the freezer. A thirteenth was found in the fridge.
Allison says she was overwhelmed by the deplorable conditions.
"It permeated every single sense you had. You could just feel the grime as you walked through the door."
Allison said many of the seized animals had fur and teeth matted with feces. Some with nails so long they curved back into their paws. Others had various health ailments.
Walsh's attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu deferred his opening statement until after the prosecutions rests. He says he has pictures of the same animals to prove his client is innocent.
"These animals were highly socialized," says Bilu. "They were loving animals. My client adored them, loved them, took care of them."
Walsh faces a maximum of six years four months in state prison. She could also be sentenced to probation. Attorneys say the trial could take up to two weeks. | Source: KSBY - Dec 4, 2006
Update posted on Dec 4, 2006 - 11:43PM |
An Edna Valley woman facing six counts of felony animal cruelty was due back in court today for arraignment on charges of animal cruelty after she waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
With defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu by her side last Friday, Cynthia Walsh, 56, agreed to forgo a key hearing in one of the county's largest-ever animal cruelty cases.
A preliminary hearing allows both the prosecution and defense to present evidence and witnesses to testify before a judge decides whether to order a trial. San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge John Trice ordered her to return to court today for the arraignment.
Walsh has been free on bond since her Dec. 14, 2005, arrest, when law enforcement officers raided her small Green Gate Road home and seized more than 100 animals, mostly small-breed dogs.
During the raid, officers also found the remains of 13 small dogs in Walsh's freezer.
Walsh has also been charged with two misdemeanor counts of failing to properly care for the animals - many of the dogs suffered from ear and eye infections and had feces matted in their fur, according to court records.
She's also in violation of a county ordinance that allows only four pets per residence unless a special permit is obtained, which Walsh didn't possess.
If a trial is held and Walsh is convicted on all eight criminal counts, she could face up to more than six years in state prison and thousands of dollars in fines. | Source: Times Press Recorder - April 26, 2006
Update posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 10:40PM |
More information is available through a special hotline for people interested in adopting one of more than 100 animals seized in an animal cruelty case.
The 83 dogs, seven cats, four goats, 26 birds and one duck seized in December after Edna Valley resident Cynthia Walsh was arrested, are expected to be available for adoption next week, county animal services officials said.
Individuals interested in applying to adopt the animals can call 781-4412 for updated information. General information about adoptions can be found at the shelter's website at www.slosheriff.org/animal. | Source: The Tribune - April 7, 2006
Update posted on Apr 7, 2006 - 2:15PM |
Four weeks after more than one-hundred animals were found in her Edna Valley home, a San Luis Obispo woman is charged with animal cruelty. On January 11, 2006, Cynthia Walsh pled not guilty to all nine counts against her.
The District Attorney's office charged her with six felony counts of overworked animals, two misdemeanor counts of failure to care for animals, and one county violation of keeping too many pets. San Luis Obispo County animal services has custody of Walsh's animals. She's not allowed to have any pets until the case is complete. | Source: KSBY News - January 11, 2006
Update posted on Jan 15, 2006 - 8:54AM |
If criminal charges against a woman arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty aren't filed, she'll get back the 121 various animals seized from her Edna Valley home. "We're here as the custodians and caretakers of those animals," said Dr. Eric Anderson, manager of the San Luis Obispo County Division of Animal Services. "Essentially, any seized animal is the property of the person who owns them. If there are no charges filed ... those animals will revert back to her." Anderson added the seized animals can't be adopted out by Animal Services because they don't belong to the county.
Walsh, who posted bail after her arrest, was also housing 26 birds, four goats and a duck on her property in the 300-block of Green Gate Road. The remains of 13 small dogs were also found wrapped in plastic in her freezer. All the living animals were seized and are being housed at the County Division of Animal Services' shelter, which is putting a huge strain on an already crowded facility.
"It certainly puts us well beyond our normal capacity," Anderson said. "We're limited on the amount of space that we have, especially for dogs. It's really difficult to house the (extra) animals." The dogs are being housed in the shelter's quarantine area, which has been closed to make space for the 85 canines, and extra staff has been brought on specifically to care for the additional animals, Anderson said. Although Animal Services hasn't had to euthanize an adoptable animal during the past two years, Anderson said it's a risk now that the shelter is at least three times beyond capacity. "So far, we haven't had to euthanize any animals because of space, but we're stacking the deck high," he said. "I never say it's not going to happen ... but we're really committed (to not having to euthanize) even as we go through this time."
Woods Humane Society has been temporarily housing a large number of dogs from Animal Services since last week's sudden influx of more than 100 animals at the county shelter. "Without that help, we probably would have had to euthanize animals," Anderson said, adding the seven cats don't pose a big problem in terms of housing them as do the additional dogs. "We can typically get seven cats in one day (out here)." Because the wheels of the criminal justice system often move slowly, the animals could spend at least the next several months at Animal Services before Walsh's case is resolved. "This can potentially impact us a for a long time," Anderson said, adding he's encouraging people who are ready to adopt an animal from the shelter to do so now. He also hopes the community helps decrease the number of animals brought to the county shelter in the coming months by being responsible pet owners - ensuring their animals have collars with current tags and daytime phone numbers for the owners or by having microchips implanted in them. | Source: Times Press Recorder - December 28, 2005
Update posted on Dec 28, 2005 - 11:50PM |
The evaluations of more than a hundred animals removed from a San Luis Obispo County home are expected to wrap up December 23, 2005. When the pets came in, vets found dental disease, ear infections, and flea infestation in most of the dogs. The exam reports will now be sent to the district attorney's office to decide on whether to charge Cynthia Walsh with animal cruelty.
"We'll be submitting a report detailing the condition of each animal," said Eric Anderson, animal services manager. "Each animal is getting an individual animal identification record that has their physical findings on it and vaccination records that we've administered and so forth." Animals services will likely submit its full report to the District Attorney's office by early next week. | Source: KSBY News - December 22, 2005
Update posted on Dec 23, 2005 - 9:48PM |
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