Oct 8, 2009: Thyme & Sage civil suit settledMadison (WKOW) --- The Richland County District Attorney's Office has reached a settlement in the case against an animal shelter in Richland County.
Jennifer Petkus settled with the State in her civil case against the Thyme & Sage Ranch.
In the agreement Petkus has agreed to surrender all but 4 of the animals to the Dane County Humane Society.
378 animals were seized at the ranch in May.
Now the Richland County District Attorney will be able to focus on the upcoming criminal case against Petkus.
Petkus is charged with 39 misdemeanors and is scheduled to begin trial in February 2010.
The four animals returned will be given to Petkus' parents who will be subject to ongoing monitoring.
The other animals will be up for adoption in the next few weeks. You can check here for available dogs daily at the Dane County Humane Society..." More
May 20, 2009: ASPCA Update & Pictures
May 19, 2009: More than 300 dogs seized from Richland County shelter
By GENA KITTNER, Wisconson State Journal
More than 300 dogs — many suffering from open wounds and housed in feces-ridden conditions — were seized Tuesday from a shelter that had been operating as a sanctuary for lost and found animals in Richland County....
"We have found some (dog) carcasses on the property," said Eric Sakach, senior law enforcement specialist for the Humane Society of the United States...
Jennifer Petkus, owner and founder of Thyme and Sage Ranch, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. According to its Web site, the facility is the acting pound for Richland County.
Larry Wyman, chairman of the Richland County Law Enforcement Committee and member of the County Board, said the county had contracted with Thyme and Sage previously and approved a two-year contract with the organization in January..." More
"...The Richland County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant for Thyme and Sage Ranch, located in Cazenovia, and impounded the dogs and about 20 other animals including horses, rabbits, chickens, goats, horses, sheep and llamas...
“Many of the dogs, ranging from small to large breeds, were housed in poor conditions and suffering from ailments including severely matted fur, open wounds, and skin infections,” the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a statement. “The dogs were housed in a multiple enclosures, many poorly ventilated, as well as outdoor kennels.”
According to its Web site, Thyme and Sage Ranch is the acting pound for Richland County.
“We are working hand in hand with the law enforcement committee and Sheriff’s Department, by taking in all stray, abandoned, abused and impound cases pending animal cruelty,” the shelter says on its Web site. “This is an enormous task, as we do not have a local shelter.”..." More
