Four charged in kennel case are again indicted
Four people arrested in 2008 for animal cruelty due to conditions at a Nicholson kennel were again indicted by a Jackson County grand jury last week.
The original indictment had several issues which led to the four being again indicted. A trial date has not been set.
Marie Hughes, 55, James Ronnie Hughes, 56, Jennifer Hughes Epps, 35, and Brandy Stone, 26, were each indicted on two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 133 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
The charges stem from allegations of animal cruelty at L&D Kennel and Farm, Nicholson.
Each felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals carries a sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Each misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals carries up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The four were arrested in February 2008 following allegations of neglect at the Nicholson kennel. The arrests came after a former employee filed a complaint about the conditions at the kennel, including lack of proper food, shelter and care for the almost 300 puppies and dogs on the 23-acre site on Sanford Road.
The animals were impounded shortly after the arrest and were later offered for adoption.
The first indictments were probably stalled by people that care more about the making sure the system works than actually convicting the guilty. It is about time they had their day in court and paid for the pain and suffering done to the animals. There is no excuse for animal cruelty.
My Opinion:
There needs to be a stronger fine for these animal abusers.
There are so many unwanted dogs in Jackson County. Why BUY.. Adoption is always better.
What they did was terrible but gosh, aren't you being a little unforgiving and over reactive?
Do we know enough about this case yet to adopt that strong an opinion? They have been indicted, that's all.
While I would be curious to know more details, and certainly believe Cruelty to animals is a serious issue, I like to think that due process is important too. Don't you? For instance, what was wrong the first time? What happened to the case? If it was so strong, why didn't it proceed? One must admit, these are reasonable concerns.
Getting an indictment from a Grand Jury really isn't that hard. All a Grand Jury does is determine if an accusation "appears" to have merit. That's all.
I think it would be fairly easy to go before a group of retirees, housewives and other fine otherwise unemployed citizens of the county and tell a herendous story of cruelty to animals and get an indictment. The burden of proof comes later with a jury of twelve. Completely different game.
Understand, I am not, mind you, displaying an opinion about the guilt or innosence of these individuals, only that anyone can routed through a grand jury unfairly. Remember Darren Glen? He turned out to be innocent after two sides were heard and each of his multiple charges were found to have no merit at all.
How would you like to be kept in a cage & be mistreated??
If you do not think they have feelings and do not hurt. You have never owned an animal.
And do not need to be replying on this matter..
Over three years later - and nothing. Absolutely
nothing.