A Washington County Virginia woman has been charged with more than a dozen counts of animal cruelty. Two of the 16 dogs are currently being treated at a local animal hospital. Washington County Animal Control says several dogs have been removed from a home from poor living conditions. Daryll Thackerstated "there was quite a bit of urine and feces from the dogs, really bad odor strong smell. It was really bad living conditions." Authorities say the dogs owner Vicki Hardin was abusing and neglecting the animals. He also stated that a lot of them were very under weight, mal-nourished some were unable to stand on their back legs."
Authorities say more than 16 dogs were found here in this house, and they say 2 were so malnourished they are being treated currently at the hospital." Veterinarian Joanne Davenport says the Dachshunds had hair loss and severe weight loss from the conditions. Being kept in the carriers in small cages stacked on top of each other, that`s bad. Because there is no exercise and no personal contact." Authorities say Hardin was trying to sell the dogs. Thacker stated "so many dogs running around back there. They were sold under a registration that many of those registrations may not be true."
Hardin has been charged with 13-counts of cruelty and 2-counts from not Vaccinating for Rabies. The dogs are being held at the Washington County Animal Control and it will be up to the Judge on June 5TH whether or not they will be up for adoption. Case UpdatesHundreds of people on a waiting list to adopt neglected dogs will wait a little longer.
On Tuesday a judge continued a motions hearing to determine if dachshunds from an animal abuse case would be sold at auction or adopted.
The judge was asked to reverse his original ruling to put the dogs on the auction block.
That decision won't happen unless county leaders decide to forgo the auction that would raise money to pay for the dogs care.
A new motions hearing is set for February 26th. | Source: TriCities.Com - Dec 13, 2006
Update posted on Dec 14, 2006 - 1:13AM |
The decision to auction 15 dachshunds seized in an animal-cruelty case is drawing anger from some of those who have waited for months in hopes of adopting them.
Hundreds have been on a waiting list of those eager to provide homes for the animals. Some residents have even fostered the dogs by providing food, visiting them at the animal shelter, taking them on walks and showing them love and care.
But following a conviction in the case last week, authorities announced the plan had changed and the dogs would instead go on the auction block to help defray some of the costs of their care.
"These animals were taken out of horrific conditions," said Marti Wallace, a nurse who serves as a "foster parent" for dogs and cats awaiting adoption. "And to now see their fate go on the auction block ... "
In May, the dachshunds were seized from a home on Yamaha Circle near Bristol Virginia, where authorities said they discovered a "puppy mill." The dogs were starving and some were nearly hairless, police said.
Last week, Vicky Lynn Hardin was found guilty on one count of animal cruelty and sentenced to one year of probation, fined $2,500, plus restitution to the county for the veterinary bills.
Hardin, who was originally charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty, could appeal.
General District Judge Joseph Tate ruled that the dogs would be offered for sale by the county after Dec. 10. The judge specified that Hardin could keep two dogs. Once she made her choices, the remaining animals would be sold, he said in his ruling.
"Apply proceeds to any unpaid vet bill, then to costs of impoundment," Tate wrote.
The judge could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
"They�re not tractors," said Wallace, who is also a member of the local Animal Defense League. "They�re little souls."
After hearing "a lot of feedback" from citizens like Wallace, those at the Washington County Sheriff�s Office are trying to get the judge to change the ruling. Animal Control is a division of the Sheriff�s Office.
"We�re going to try to meet with the judge and basically not auction off these dogs like they�re a slab of meat or something," said Maj. Blake Andis. "We�re trying to find good homes for these dogs, and I don�t think an auction is the right way to go."
Jason Alexander, sergeant of animal control for the county, says if the judge agrees, the county will proceed with plans to find homes for the dogs from the existing waiting list.
"We have a huge list," Alexander said. "I would say there are probably between 65 and 100 people on the list for each dog."
Even if the dogs do end up at auction, Andis said buyers would still be subject to the same rules as anyone adopting a dog from the county�s animal shelter. Only those residing in Washington County or an adjoining county, with no animal cruelty or neglect convictions, can adopt an animal. The animal also must be spayed or neutered.
The cost of keeping and caring for the dogs has been considerable.
The bill totaled more than $1,600 when the dogs were first taken to VCA Highlands Animal Hospital in Abingdon, and there have since been additional charges.
Even the total bill does not reflect the true cost of care for the animals, Alexander said.
"They agreed to help us out and provide their services at a greatly reduced cost," Alexander said of those at the animal hospital.
Andis said he hopes for a decision within the next two weeks.
"As far as getting these puppy mills, it�s a thing that we�re just now facing," Andis said. "I know that the court system is new to it also, so it�s a learning process for us." | Source: TriCities.Com - Dec 6, 2006
Update posted on Dec 9, 2006 - 12:36PM |
Dachshunds seized last spring in an animal cruelty case will not be available for adoption.
"Rather than the traditional adoption, these dogs will be sold at a public auction," said Jason Alexander, sergeant of animal control for Washington County. "Of course, there will be public notice when we get ready to do that."
The decision to find homes for the dogs by auction has to do with state guidelines and the seriousness of the case, said Alexander, but he could not provide specifics.
Owner Vicky Lynn Hardin was found guilty of animal cruelty Wednesday in General District Court. She was convicted on a single charge rather than one for each animal.
She was given a year of probation and $1,000 in fines. She is also required to pay back veterinary expenses incurred by the county for the care of the dachshunds, which Alexander said will be about $1,700.
In addition, she is limited to two companion animals in her home, and she has until Dec. 10 to choose two dogs. She also has until that date to appeal the ruling.
If she appeals, the dogs will remain at the shelter. If she does not, they will be sold shortly thereafter.
As for the waiting list of people who wanted to adopt the dogs, "At this time the list obviously is null and void," Alexander said.
"I don�t think anybody anticipated that the dogs were going to be handled this way." | Source: TriCities.Com - Dec 2, 2006
Update posted on Dec 2, 2006 - 12:54PM |
| Thursday, Hardin's attorney asked the judge to suppress the evidence saying no search warrants were obtained and that the case should be thrown out. The animal shelter will wait at least 10 days before adopting out any of the dogs. The shelter asks that people wait to visit the shelter and see the dogs. | Source: WCYB - June 30, 2006
Update posted on Jul 1, 2006 - 7:42AM |
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