 Hoarding - 19 animals seized
Wilder, VT (US)Incident Date: Friday, Apr 21, 2006
County: Windsor
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Abuser/Suspect: Michelle E. Greene
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available |
 |
 |
| | Case ID: 8174 | | | Classification: Hoarding | | | Animal: cat, cat, dog (non pit-bull), dog (non pit-bull), bird (pet), bird (pet), rodent/small mammal (pet), rodent/small mammal (pet) | | | View more cases in VT (US) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hartford police seized a menagerie from a Wilder residence on April 21, 2006. The department animal control officer, Brandon Dyke, received a report of animal neglect and cruelty at a Norwich Avenue residence. Dyke investigated and found evidence to support the allegations, leading police to get a search warrant for the location.
Police found eight dogs, ranging from a Great Dane to a Chihuahua, two cats, two guinea pigs, six birds and a ferret. The animals were seized and examined by a local veterinarian. The animals were all taken to the Upper Valley Humane Society, and the case is still under investigation. Police said that no one had been cited or arrested.
Case UpdatesA Wilder woman will spend eight days on a prison work crew after pleading guilty to one count of animal cruelty. Michelle Greene, 37, also has been ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling, according to Windsor County Deputy State's Attorney David Cahill.
Greene was charged after police found starving dogs, a ferret, guinea pigs and parrots at her home in April.
As part of the plea deal, Greene has given up her rights to the 19 animals, Cahill said.
"This is a case that started with the best of intentions and ended somewhat as a nightmare," Cahill said.
"The plea agreement was an attempt to balance the suffering of the animals with Ms. Greene's embarrassment and remorse," he said. "This is not the case of someone who willfully hurt an animal."
Greene must pay restitution to the people and shelters who cared for the animals after the police seized them on April 21.
The ferret had to be euthanized because of the neglect. | Source: Boston Globe - July 9, 2006
Update posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 9:04AM |
A 37-year-old Wilder woman pleaded innocent this week to one count of animal cruelty.
Michelle L. Greene was arraigned in White River Junction District Court this week on charges filed by the Hartford Police Department following a raid at her home on April 21.
Police allege Greene deprived her animals of adequate food, water and shelter. A ferret had to be euthanized because of its poor condition, court records revealed.
Police affidavits stated dogs, cats, birds and the ferret were taken to the Upper Valley Humane Society.
Police said they were alerted to the problem by Greene's neighbors. Greene first denied Hartford's animal control officer access to her home, so police returned with a search warrant.
Police said the floors in Greene's Norwich Avenue home were covered with urine-soaked clothes.
A total of 19 animals were removed from Greene's home. A veterinarian who accompanied the police, Dr. Krysten Aarbo, wrote in her affidavit that the animals appeared healthy but severely underfed, and the victims of "severe neglect."
Aarbo said seven dogs were in crates, with no food or water, there were six large parrots, a ferret and some guinea pigs. Two cats roamed free in the house, the vet noted. Many of the dogs were large breeds, such as St. Bernard's, great Pyrenees and Bernese mountain dogs.
Police said there was no evidence of food or water set out for the animals.
Greene was released on conditions. If convicted, she faces a $1,000 fine. | Source: Rutland Herald - June 27, 2006
Update posted on Jun 28, 2006 - 10:48PM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References« VT State Animal Cruelty Map
|
