Neglecting over 135 rabbits Richmond, VA (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 County: Richmond City Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abusers/Suspects: » Sandra Sturman » Mark Lee Sturman Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 9892 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment, Hoarding Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), rabbit (pet) View more cases in VA (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Richmond woman whose property was found filled with more than 135 caged rabbits -- many of them dead -- will pay the price for her neglect.

Sandra Sturman, 51, of the 2800 block of North Avenue, pleaded guilty on Oct 30, 2006 in Richmond General District Court to eight counts of animal cruelty.

Judge Phillip L. Hairston sentenced her to eight months in jail, as part of a plea agreement.

After a January fire at Sturman's house, investigators found scores of rabbits, many of them kept in filthy metal cages stacked on the attic floor and hanging from rafters. Some were dead, in cages that had no food or water. In places, rabbit feces a foot-and-a-half deep covered the floor.

"It is one of the most egregious, horrendous animal-cruelty cases I've seen in a long time," Richmond prosecutor Alex Taylor said. "The feces was trickling down the stairs from the attic. There were bags and bags of dead rabbits."

She was also ordered to pay $1,580 in restitution, refrain from owning animals for three years and consent to unannounced visits by animal-control offices during that time period.

"I think in her heart she truly cared for the rabbits," said Taylor B. Stone, Sturman's defense attorney. "There were just too many for her to take care of."

Authorities found the rabbits after a fire broke out in January in Sturman's home in the 2800 block of North Avenue.

Taylor said investigators stopped counting at 135 rabbits but that there were many more in the home, as well as cats and dogs.

"She had a menagerie of animals," he said.

Sturman is listed on several Web sites as a rabbit breeder and owner of Gothic Manor Rabbits. Taylor said she sold the rabbits for their fur.

In a Web posting made at the end of July, Sturman wrote about the fire and her plans to buy more rabbits soon.

"I just wanted to let everyone know that with any luck I will be hitting the show rings again next year with new stock," the posting read.

Taylor mentioned it to the judge, adding that in "no way shape or form should she have any rabbits."

Sturman's attorney agreed.

Sturman lived on North Avenue with her husband, Mark Sturman, who has also been charged in the matter. His case is being handled by a separate attorney. Trial is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Taylor said Sturman's sentence, which was the longest given in any animal-cruelty case in Richmond this year, was the result of a "thorough investigation by animal control."

It was not the first time Sturman had been charged with such a crime.

Taylor said she has also been found guilty of animal neglect in 2003 and was ordered to undergo counseling and pay $1,470 in restitution, which she had failed to do.

In that case, the charges stemmed from her pet ferrets, Taylor said.

As part of her plea agreement yesterday, Sturman paid the $1,470 plus an additional $110.

Taylor said he hopes Sturman finally gets the help she needs. "It is a classic case of animal hoarding," he said.

"The case sends a message," he said. "Take care of your animals, or face the consequences."

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References

	Times-Dispatch - Oct 31, 2006
	WSLS - Oct 31, 2006
	WAVY - Oct 31, 2006

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