Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding at least 99 animals

Hoarding at least 99 animals
Merrill, WI (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 12, 2006
County: Lincoln
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abusers/Suspects:
» Barbara A. Calkins
» Terry M Calkins - Alleged

Case Updates: 6 update(s) available

Case ID: 7006

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull), horse, chicken, bird (other farmed)

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A 30-year-old woman neglected dozens of animals, including horses, dogs, emus and a cat, according to a criminal complaint filed on Jan 23.

Barbara Calkins was charged Monday with 38 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect in failing to provide them food and water at her rural Merrill home, Lincoln County District Attorney Don Dunphy said.

"They were all kept on her premises, outside," he said.

Calkins was arrested last week after an investigation began Jan. 13th into a complaint about neglected horses at her home, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities returned after she made no major improvements in the care of the horses, and a large number of other animals and birds were found hidden in a building on the property, the sheriff's department said.

Calkins was charged separately last week with disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and felony bail jumping, Dunphy said. Those charges involve her behavior with investigators and television reporters, the prosecutor said.

The Lincoln County Humane Society is caring for 39 dogs, three horses, six emus, one cat and 50 chickens, ducks and turkeys removed from the Calkins' property, said Christina Sessions, an animal specialist for the group's shelter.

The animals and birds were hungry and malnourished but all were expected to survive, Sessions said.

The maximum punishment for each count of misdemeanor animal neglect is a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail, Dunphy said.

This case is being prosecuted by:

Kurt Zengler, Assistant District Attorney
Lincoln County District Attorney�s Office
1110 E. Main St.
Merrill, WI 54452

Case Updates

The Lincoln County woman accused of abusing her animals and obstructing an officer has been sentenced to six months in jail, four years probation and 200 hours of community service.

Barbara Calkins pleaded no contest to all charges on May 11 in Lincoln County court.

She was charged with 34 counts of animal neglect, one charge of mistreating an animal resulting in its death and a child abuse charge.

But District Attorney Don Dunphy tells NewsChannel 7 those charged were dismissed in the plea agreement.

Calkins is not allowed to have contact with any type of animal while on probation.

She made a brief apology in court for the role she played in the abuse.

Calkins was arrested in January 2006.

Authorities seized dozens of animals from her property in Merrill.

Her attorney says his client's husband, Terry, should take primary responsibility because he left her to take care of the animals after he was banned from the property.

He was charged with domestic abuse.

Barbara has since filed for divorce against Terry and has been seeking mental help.

Terry is expected to stand trial for his role in the crime.

Source: WSAW - May 11, 2007
Update posted on Jun 24, 2007 - 7:04PM

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It looks like a plea deal is in the works for a Lincoln County woman accused of mistreating animals. A plea and sentencing court appearance for 31-year old Barbara Calkins of Merrill is set for May.

She had earlier pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

Calkins was arrested after police say they found dozens of neglected animals at her home.

Source: WSAW - Feb 9, 2007
Update posted on Feb 9, 2007 - 6:31PM

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A pretrial hearing has been postponed in the case of a Merrill man charged with animal neglect, Lincoln County District Attorney Don Dunphy said.

The hearing is now scheduled for July 20.

The man, Terry Calkins, was charged in March with one felony count of animal mistreatment and 27 misdemeanor counts of failing to provide food for animals on property at W3195 Highway C in the town of Schley. The charges against Calkins involve the care of the horses and dogs at the property.

Calkins' address is now listed as 1004 E. Second St. in Merrill, according to court records.

Source: Wausau Daily Herald - July 7, 2006
Update posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 2:59PM

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In addition to picking the doctor who evaluates her, Barbara Calkins will also be able to hire a private investigator in her animal abuse case.

Calkins faces 38 counts of intentionally failing to provide food for her animals, which is a misdemeanor. Dozens of animals were found weak and starving at her home outside Merrill in January.

Calkins' attorney says a private eye would be able to find information to help her defend herself in court, and he wants a doctor from outside the court to evaluate Calkins' mental state. This could cost her $1,500.

Lincoln County District Attorney Don Dunphy's only concern is how she'd pay for these on her limited income.

"Certainly, these are her rights. I just wanted to make sure that if there were funds available to her to pay for that privately that that was done," said Dunphy.

Dunphy said the county would pay for these services upfront, but Calkins would be expected to pay the county back.

Calkins' attorney said her husband, Terry, is in the process of selling the house where the animals were abused, and could possibly use some of the money from that sale to repay the county.

But Terry Calkins is also facing 27 charges in this case, so there's no guarantee Barbara could use that money. She'll have to provide the court with papers once the house is sold.

Source: News Channel 7 - April 25, 2006
Update posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 12:51AM

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The husband of a Lincoln County woman charged earlier with animal neglect now himself faces a criminal charge of failing to provide proper food and shelter to confined animals, according to authorities. A criminal complaint was filed in Lincoln County Court March 3, charging Terry M. Calkins, 52, rural Merrill, with 27 counts of neglecting animals. His estranged wife, Barbara Calkins, 29, of Merrill, was charged with almost identical charges, 38 in all, related to the state of care of animals found at their town of Schley residence. The husband's charges revolve around the care of horses and dogs, not with the birds, said a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department.

Terry Calkins is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the misdemeanor charges on May 24, 2006 in Lincoln County court. His wife is due in court April 25, 2006 on animal neglect charges. She also faces other charges, including child abuse. A preliminary hearing on the latter charge is scheduled for April 21, 2006.

Most of the animals were adopted, according to the department, but some had to be destroyed. A few dogs remain at the Lincoln County Humane Society. The society's animal shelter was taxed when it cared for the neglected animals. It still needs items such as canned dog food, collars and leashes and gift cards from Fleet Farm and Wal-Mart.

Source: The Daily News - March 9, 2006
Update posted on Mar 14, 2006 - 9:49PM

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Fifty-two-year-old Terry Calkins is now charged with 27 counts of failing to provide proper food and shelter to confined animals. He's the husband of Barbara Calkins who is accused of similar crimes. Dozens of animals were seized from their rural Merrill property in January 2006. The Calkins' were estranged at the time but sheriff's deputies say witnesses tell them he was responsible for the alleged animal mistreatment as well. Terry Calkins is due in court in May 2006.

Source: WSAW News - March 2006
Update posted on Mar 13, 2006 - 5:37PM

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References

	WSAW - Jan 23. 2006
	WSAW - Jan 23, 2006
	CBS 5
	LaCrosse Tribune - Jan 23, 2006
	PETA Media Center - Jan 26, 2006
	WEAU - Jan 23, 2006
	Wausau Daily Herald - May 24, 2006

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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.

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Hoarding at least 99 animalsMerrill, WI (US)

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Hoarding at least 99 animals
Merrill, WI (US)