washington woman A county received a suspended sentence Monday in an appeal of animal cruelty in the Hancock area. This led to 113 dogs and cats being removed from her home nearly two years ago.
Kelly Elizabeth Powell, 45, filed a complaint with Alford in the Washington County Circuit Court for 10 counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide proper space.
Alford’s plea did not admit guilt. But admitted that the prosecution had enough evidence to win a conviction.
Powell and her husband, Barry Wayne Powell, were charged by the Washington District Court. The county sentenced him to six months in prison last October. They entered Alford’s petition on July 15 on charges of animal cruelty/failure to care for the animals and/or appropriate spaces while the animals were in their care and care.
Within two days after the hearing Appeals have been filed for both cases. Move the matter to the circuit court.
The animal cruelty charges Powell filed against Alford on Monday centered around the Humane Society of Veterinarians finding that domesticated animals were deprived of suitable areas because they could not escape. from their own feces Assistant State Prosecutor Daniel Lackovic addressed the court.
The floor of the house is filled with feces and urine. And many of the animal’s hairs were filled with feces. Lackovic said
Judge Brett R. Wilson sentenced Kelly Powell to a maximum of 90 days in prison each, or about 30 months in total, but suspended the entire sentence. Powell will be on probation for three years. Wilson said she should not have any animals under her control, supervision, or supervision. This includes household pets and livestock.
Powell also must attend mental health assessments and recommended treatment through her probation agent, Wilson said.
The remaining 98 animal cruelty charges from the June 2021 animal cruelty appeal were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
The 2022 animal cruelty lawsuit against Powell was placed on an idle stage or docket as part of the settlement. Lackovic said the case will be dismissed once Powell completes his probation.
The Humane Society’s director of field services, Crystal Mowery, said in an interview that eight dogs, including five puppies, were removed from their homes in the February 2022 case.
Caring for a rescued animal costs thousands.
A certified cashier’s check for $5,000 for restitution to the Humane Society of Washington County was sent near the end of the hearing on Monday.
After the hearing, Mowery said the necessary medical care for the dogs and cats cost more than $10,000.
Colin Berry, Executive Director of the Humane Society, says neutering/neutering is not included. and the ongoing and individual medical needs for the animal following immediate care.
Of the 113 dogs and cats removed from their homes in Hancock, five dogs and 11 cats were euthanized and a 12th cat died, Mowery said. Some of the rescued animals were pregnant. with 29 puppies later born. Among those puppies Seven of them died at birth.
Berry said all the surviving animals have been adopted.
“Communities, they are the people who save these animals through donations, volunteering, fostering and adoption,” Berry said. “Many of these families are still fighting with dogs that have just learned to be dogs.”
When the dogs and cats were rescued in June 2021, the nonprofit asked for donations to take care of them and raised about $16,000. donate those
“It’s a relief that at least part of the case is behind us. And for these animals to get justice for everything they go through,” Berry said.
Lakovic said the offer was extended to Barry Powell in his appeal case.
His appeal hearing is scheduled for October. According to his online case document
Co-defendant pleads guilty to animal cruelty case
Kelly Powell told Wilson, “Now I know I should act differently and do something faster. But I felt trapped while my father told me I had no place to live… and knew I was the only one who could take care of him.”
“I’m sorry about the whole thing. And I’m devastated,” Powell said.
One of Powell’s public defenders, Sean Mukherjee, said this was a mental health case.
Another public defender for Powell, Garrett Byron, said Powell’s parents had a few dogs when she returned home to care for her ailing mother. when her mother died With fewer than 20 dogs in the house, Powell’s father had an obsession. and a power struggle between the Powell family and her father
Within five to six days her father suffered a stroke. The animals were then removed from the home, Byron said.
Lackovic said that when Humane Society officials responded to the House in June 2021 after receiving information from the deputy. Powell agreed to sign the ownership of the animals to the Humane Society.
Byron said Powell struggled with various mental health conditions. Including post-traumatic stress disorder and going to see a therapist.
“This is a very challenging family transition,” said Mukherjee. Powell begged her father to find a place to stay. She acknowledged that she should have done more. Act faster, he said.
Powell spent three days in jail, which was an “eye-opening experience” for her, Muckerje said. Powell collects more compensation to pay off the society’s debt.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hancock, Md.-area women convicted on massive animal cruelty appeal.