42 counts of animal cruelty at Nevada farm

In one of the worst cases they can remember, state officials in Nevada have cited a Battle Mountain woman for 42 counts of animal cruelty for neglecting more than 100 barnyard animals, including 35 starving horses.

Two horses, three llamas, three goats and two sheep died on the rural property about 220 miles northeast of Reno.

Jan Lemley faces a $1,000 fine for each count in the citation. She told the Battle Mountain Bugle Wednesday she had no comment.

Nevada Agriculture Department spokesman Ed Foster says a state veterinarian became sick upon arrival at the scene last weekend. He says "it's the worst case of animal cruelty they've ever witnessed."

At least one goat died from ingesting wool from a sheep carcass because it had nothing else to eat..." Link

More Than 100 Neglected Animals Found at Nev. Farm

"...Jan Lemley of Battle Mountain faces 42 counts of animal cruelty. Each count carries a civil fine of $1,000, said Nevada Department of Agriculture spokesman Ed Foster...."

B.C. woman charged after 73 ‘distressed’ animals seized by SPCA

Suzanne Fournier

Twenty-eight horses, 39 dogs, four cats, a pig and a llama are in the protective custody of the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after their owner was charged with animal cruelty.

Carla Christman, from the B.C. Interior city of Vernon, was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after animal welfare officials seized the "thin and emaciated" injured horses, the terrier-mix dogs and "distressed" cats, as well as a "thin, sunburned" pig and an abused llama.

The small animals were crowded into an unventilated area "so thick with the stench of ammonia and feces that officers gagged upon entry," an official said.

The dogs were being allowed to breed, as were horses, which were on the brink of starvation.

"These animals were clearly in severe distress. We tried over several months to get the owner to improve their care and relieve their suffering, yet the animals continued to decline while she tried to breed some and keep selling them," said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the B.C. SPCA..." More

Sept 12, 2009: Horses, dogs, cats, pig, llama seized from Vernon ranch

The SPCA has seized 73 animals from a Vernon-area property.

Special constables removed the animals Monday after their owner failed to comply with orders to improve conditions for the animals, according to an SPCA news release. Officers have made more than 20 follow-up visits during the past year.

“This was a case where the owner had been given every opportunity to provide proper care for her animals,” said Kathy Woodward, senior animal protection officer for the B.C. SPCA. “There were ongoing welfare issues that were not being addressed and it was clear that the owner would not, or could not, provide the changes needed for the animals’ well-being.”

The news release did not provide an address for the property, but Castanet reported that it is Scenic Valley Ranch on Irish Creek Road. Scenic Valley Ranch has been operating since 1973 as a beef cattle ranch and is owned by Charles Christman and his daughter Carla Christman. Its website has been suspended.

SPCA officers removed 39 small terrier-mix dogs (including 16 puppies), 28 horses, four cats, a pig and a llama from the property. Three more puppies were born in SPCA custody Monday night. None of the animals are available for adoption.

“Many of the horses were thin, injured, had long hooves and were being housed in an unsuitable and unsafe environment,” said Woodward...." More

Sunnyvale store owner gets custody of most animals seized in SPCA raid

By RAY LESZCYNSKI

GARLAND – Both Sunnyvale feed store owner Earnest Kearney and SPCA of Texas officials claimed victory Friday, after a day of testimony and a split decision from District 2 Justice of the Peace Gerry Cooper.

Kearney will regain 256 animals taken in a raid by the SPCA and Dallas County constables on Oct. 6. Those include rabbits, horses, sheep and other livestock.

"It's a little victory," he said. "Those are our good animals. You'd spend 30 years getting some of those."

However, the 76-year-old owner of Kearney's Store will forfeit 130 chickens and pigeons also taken and $12,000 the SPCA spent in the investigation, seizure, housing and medical costs. And Kearney still faces Class A misdemeanor charges of cruelty to livestock animals.

"The judge determined that 130 animals were cruelly treated," said Ann Barnes, senior vice president of operations for the SPCA of Texas. Those animals, she said, would spend more time in rehabilitation before the organization sought homes for them.

Kearney will have the remainder of his animals back by Tuesday afternoon, according to the agreement..." More

Oct 7, 2009: Community Rallies Around Seized Animals' Owners

By John Knicely

A day after hundreds of head of livestock were seized from Kearney's Store in Sunnyvale, some in the community are rallying to get the animals back. The SPCA says the animals were abused, but the Kearney family and their supporters say those claims are unsubstantiated.

The SPCA hauled off 400 horses, cows, chickens and other animals on Tuesday after obtaining a warrant to seize all the animals on the property. The SPCA sayd it had been getting complaints about the store since 2005.

On Tuesday well-respected businessman and former Sunnyvale City Councilman Earnest Kearney was arrested for cruelty to animals.

"Never been in a jail in my whole life," Kearney said on Wednesday. "That was a new experience for an old man."..." More & video

Oct 6, 2009: Animals seized from Sunnyvale feed store

By CYNTHIA VEGA

SUNNYVALE — Kearney's Feed Store has been in business in Sunnyvale for more than 100 years. But on Tuesday, its owner was arrested and the SPCA of Texas hauled away his livestock.

Earnest Kearney, 76, faces charges of cruelty to animals for keeping them in "deplorable" and "cruel" conditions.

Hundreds of animals — including horses, poultry, llamas and goats — were seized and taken into protective custody by the SPCA of Texas under the authority of Dallas County constables.

They say the animals at the feed store have been living under an abusive situation for years. It is alleged that the animals have been cruelly confined, drinking water contaminated with feces.

"Those businesses or individuals that profit through the sale of animals need to understand that the cruelty laws apply to them as well," said SPCA of Texas President James Bias. "If these animals are found to be in an abusive situation, they can face not only having those animals removed, but also criminal charges..." More