Animal neglect - 11 dogs, 1 horse Dover, NH (US) Incident Date: Friday, Oct 25, 2002 County: Strafford Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Janet E. Yusko Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 991 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull), horse, rabbit (pet) View more cases in NH (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Dover woman was charged with cruelty to animals for allegedly neglecting to feed or properly care for her horse, dogs and rabbits.

Janet E. Yusko, 48, of 103 Court St., was arraigned in Dover District Court and pleaded innocent to four misdemeanor charges.

The charges stem from a search warrant on Oct. 25 when police seized the horse and 11 dogs from Yusko�s residence. Decaying rabbit carcasses were also found on the property, according to police.

On Friday, Judge Robert Cullinane released Yusko on $5,000 personal recognizance bail on the condition that she agree not to possess animals. Dover police then returned to Yusko�s residence and seized a second horse, 25 birds and four hamsters, according to Lt. Carey Beaulieu.

The investigation began about 60 days ago with complaints from Yusko�s neighbors. Police said they tried to work with the owner but the situation became "critical" and intervention was needed.

At Friday�s court hearing, Dover police Sgt. William Malsbury submitted photographs to bolster his argument of why the rest of Yusko�s animals should be seized.

The photographs showed an emaciated horse, the dead rabbits, and a room in Yusko�s home that was strewn with animal excrement. Malsbury, who was present when the search warrant was conducted, described it as one of the most "offensive" scenes he had witnessed during animal cruelty investigations.

Each of the four misdemeanor charges against Yusko is punishable by a maximum of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Her next scheduled court appearance is Dec. 9.

The animals seized from Yusko�s residence are being kept at various shelters in the region, according to police. Some required veterinary care.

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References

	Foster's Online - Oct 28, 2002
	Foster's Online - Nov 9, 2002

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