| Greenfield woman faces six counts of animal cruelty |
By: Sabrina Bates, News Editor
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Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 4:09 pm
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Local law enforcement found a female dog and its five puppies malnourished with infested open wounds.
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After law enforcement officials allegedly found five malnourished puppies at 215 Poplar St. in Greenfield, homeowner Sheila Baker will appear in Weakley County General Sessions Court this afternoon.
Baker faces six counts of animal cruelty and neglect. According to a citation report, Greenfield Police officers responded to her home Sunday to find five puppies to “be in poor condition, one puppy had open wounds on its lower back that was infested with maggots.”
The mother of the puppies also appeared malnourished.
NWSPCA Animal Cruelty Law Enforcement Investigator Josh Pool said two puppies were non responsive.
“The lady, Sheila, said she had checked the dogs yesterday and they were fine. Animals do not get into this state over night,” Pool said.
The puppies, their mother, two additional dogs and one cat were seized by the NWSPCA and transported to an area veteran.
Pool said the puppy with the infested open wound was in such severe condition that it was put to sleep. The animals will spend approximately three or four more days at the veterinarian’s office to receive treatments for dehydration and flea infestations.
“We are requesting that Ms. Baker be ordered to pay a $1,000 animal cruelty bond to cover the vet expenses for the animals and we hope the judge will not allow her to have custody of any animals again,” Pool added.
The NWSPCA is located outside of Dresden on Old Latham Road. It is a division of the national SPCA that cares for abused and neglected animals through rehabilitation. To report animal cruelty, call Pool at 364-3942.
Baker is scheduled to appear in court at 2 p.m. today for an arraignment.
The six animal cruelty charges are classified as misdemeanors under the Tennessee Code Annotated.
WCP 8.13.09 |
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