Backyard breeder - over 30 animals Columbia, TN (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 1, 2004 County: Maury Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Debra P. Smith

Case ID: 9616 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Columbia woman convicted of animal cruelty in 2004 will have an Oct. 5, 2006 hearing to determine if she will go to jail for probation violation on nearly identical charges, Circuit Court Judge Stella Hargrove said.

Debra P. Smith was charged with cruelty to animals Sept. 1, 2004, for keeping more than 30 animals in her Lyons Street home.

The suspension of her 11-month-29-days jail sentence was conditioned upon not possessing more than two animals and paying all fines and court costs.

She was arrested Aug. 31 on 28 counts of not having rabies vaccination tags for animals, 28 counts of failure to comply with a city ordinance and three counts of allowing animals to run at large.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Rundy told Hargrove he wanted a post-plea diversion granted Smith at her trial last year to be revoked because of the new allegations and for not paying fines and costs.

Hargrove said there may be some question about a search conducted at the Smith home. Smith�s public defender said the search by police was unconstitutional. Rundy said the search was allowed as a part of Smith�s parole agreement.

Hargrove said she doubted the search was constitutional.

�But, you�ll get a chance to convince me otherwise at the hearing,� the judge told Rundy.

Police believed the dogs Smith kept in 2004 were a part of a home-based business.

Then Police Lt. Ray Messick said there was reason to believe Smith was raising and selling the animals.

Officials said the animals were not malnourished, but several did require veterinary attention.

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References

Columbia Daily Herald - Sept 13, 2006

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