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05-02-03: Animal abuse trial delayed |
By SHELLEY GRIESHOP
The Daily Standard
A trial set for Monday has been vacated in a case against a Mendon
woman accused of abandoning 13 animals in a mobile home in March.
Bridget Barker, 20, 118 Dutton St., was charged with cruelty to animals
by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and recently retained Celina attorney James Tesno to
represent her.
A pretrial hearing is now set for May 29.
Barker appeared in Celina Municipal Court on March 28 and pleaded
innocent to the charge. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and
a $750 fine.
At the hearing, Barker said her car broke down and she was unable to
return home to care for the animals. She also stated in court that not all the animals
belonged to her.
Sheriff's Lt. Matt Grunden and Mercer County Dog Warden Tom Powell on
March 18 discovered 10 dogs, two cats and a ferret in and outside a mobile home leased by
Barker.
Authorities believe Barker abandoned the animals for at least a week
without providing food or water. Electricity was reportedly disconnected at the home
several days before the animals were found.
The officials were tipped off about the animals by neighbors, some of
whom were feeding several outside dogs. The sheriff's report said the majority of the
animals had signs of malnutrition; one of the dogs, a 6-month-old boxer mix, was
euthanized March 19 due to injuries and a serious case of mange.
The animals are currently being cared for at the county dog pound and
by the Mercer County Protection League.
Barker also faces reimbursement in excess of $500 to the dog pound and
the protection league for medical care and food given the animals. |
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