A Spartanburg County woman is facing animal cruelty charges for a second time. Barbara Ann Forbes was arrested on July 20 morning after an anonymous tip led code enforcement officers to her home on Fairfield Road.
Officers say they found seven dogs, five cats, and ten hamsters in horrible condition.
They say the animals had no food or water, and were living in filthy cages.
Forbes faces five counts of animal cruelty among other charges. Officers say Forbes served jail time last year for animal cruelty.
Officers seized all 22 animals from Forbes. She�s charged with five counts of animal cruelty and could face 30 days in jail for each charge. A year ago officers charged her with animal cruelty as well, but didn�t take any of her pets. This time, the situation looked worse. "There doesn't seem to be any type of help provided to the animals," says Nelson.
They say Forbes lived in tents after losing her home and the animals lived where ever there was space. There's still one more dog on the loose. Neighbors say animal control officers left behind a trap hoping to catch Spike. They hope soon he�ll join the rest of the animals at the Humane Society where there�s never a shortage of food and water. Case UpdatesThe Spartanburg County woman arrested Thursday on five counts of animal cruelty forfeited ownership of all her pets Friday afternoon, said Sgt. Jamie Nelson of the Environmental Enforcement Office.
Unable to pay a $500 bond, Barbara Forbes, 50, remains in jail with a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 15. She also was issued seven tickets for failure to vaccinate her animals against rabies.
Nelson said that the judge would likely take into consideration her forfeiture of the animals in deciding how much to fine her on the cruelty charges.
The Spartanburg Humane Society now has custody of all seven dogs, five cats and several rodents. The animals are being prepared for adoption.
Humane Society Executive Director Sandy Christiansen said that the dogs are all underweight and that some are being treated for skin conditions, in addition to receiving medical evaluations and vaccinations. One dog might have to be euthanized for a case of mange that could be transmitted to humans.
Some cats have upper respiratory problems and one has an improperly healed broken leg.
None of the rodents have health problems.
All the animals were seized from Forbes' property, strewn with trash, Thursday morning. The camper she had been living in was also condemned for having no running water or electricity. A county ordinance also makes it illegal to live permanently in a camper. | Source: GoUpstate.Com - July 22, 2006
Update posted on Jul 24, 2006 - 1:52AM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | WSPA - July 20, 2006 | | WSPA - July 21, 2006 |
« SC State Animal Cruelty Map
|
