Monday, August 30, 2010

Dog Hoarder in Watsonville Convicted

Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office recently received a conviction against a City of Watsonville resident who was keeping dogs in her home in unsanitary and neglectful conditions. Animal Services Officers and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Ellen Jones worked closely in the investigation to interview witnesses and collect evidence to ensure justice was won for the animals.

On July 22, 2010 Mary Frances Laney, 42, pled no contest to two misdemeanor counts of Penal Code Section 597.1(A) for the neglectful care of numerous miniature poodles in her Watsonville home. Laney was sentenced to 3 years of probation and ordered to do 100 volunteer service hours. Additionally, she was ordered not to possess, acquire, and/or care for any additional dogs and she's subject to search and seizure by law enforcement for indicia of dog ownership. She was also ordered to pay $6,467.18 in restitution to the Animal Services Authority.

The case stems from a December 3, 2009 incident when Animal Services Officers were called to Laney's home on a complaint of possible animal hoarding. Once inside the residence the officers discovered numerous miniature poodles living in small cages in their own feces and urine. The poodle's hair was completely matted with their own waste..." More

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