134 Animals kept in horrible living conditions Duvall, WA (US) Date: Nov 1999 County: King Local Map: available Disposition: Not Charged Person of Interest: Jana Iellea Bartell

Case ID: 8094 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment, Hoarding Animal: sheep, horse, goat, dog (non pit-bull), chicken, cat View more cases in WA (US) « Back to Search Results Login to Watch this Case

Jana Bartell, 52, was visited by animal control and neighbors on her 5 acre hillside property in December. What they found were goats, horses, dogs, cats, sheep and chickens packed into dirty crates, crowded into makeshift pens or standing knee deep in manure. The livestock was taken away and two dogs needed to be euthanized. Another dog was already dead.

Bartell will not have charges filed but a fine is possible.

The King County prosecutor said there was not enough evidence to charge Bartell with animal neglect and cruelty. The animal control officers are still considering a fine.

"The conditions were obviously deplorable. But we found there were ample attempts to feed and clean the animals."

Prosecutors said they had to prove Bartell, "knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence" kept basic services such as food, water or shelter from her animals. In fact, there were large open bags of food on the premises.

The dogs were the most seriously diseased animals. The postmortem exams revealed they had terminal illnesses that had caused emaciation and sores unrelated to the environment.

"Ultimately, there was not proof that any of the animals suffered as a proximate result of her actions. Legally, we have to be able to prove neglect beyond a reasonable doubt. We don't believe we can meet that burden."

"There is still the ability to issue as much as a $1,000 civil fine."

Bartell still maintains she always had the best interests of her animals in mind. And some she said she took in as strays. "Just because it's dirty doesn't mean it's a crime. The bottom line is I took care of them. I gave them a home."

She was allowed to keep eight dogs and three chickens. Her livestock has been permanently moved to a dairy farm in southwestern Washington.

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References

The Seattle Times - Feb 17, 2000

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