In Adrian, Michigan, a puppy mill owner was sentenced to prison on Wednesday for the long term neglect and abuse of hundreds of dogs, cats, horses and birds. Sharon Kay Evans will serve six months in the Lenawee County Jail among other punishments spelled out by Circuit Judge Michael Olsaver.
According to the Toledo Blade, Evans, 54, pleaded no contest to one count of abandonment to 10 or more animals. The animals had been living in poor and dangerous conditions. Evans had been operating a kennel at the home and had a license to have up to 75 dogs.
After an investigation, 218 dogs, five cats, 32 horses, a donkey, two peacocks and other fowl were seized from her 24-acre Rome Township farm on December 17, 2017. Many of the dogs and horses seized were pregnant. And then in March 2018, another 14 dogs, multiple cats, a peacock, and an African grey parrot were removed. Most of the animals required medical care – all of the dogs had intestinal parasites and fleas, most had dental disease and some were underweight.
When sentencing Evans, Judge Olsaver noted that felony animal cruelty as defined by law in Michigan affecting 10 or more animals, could be charged as only a single count. Evan’s jail time amounted to double the recommended sentence according to statutes. During sentencing, the judge also took into account the $70,000 in costs paid for by taxpayers for the care and welfare of the seized animals.
In addition to jail, Evans will not be allowed to own any animals for the next five years, ordered to do 300 hours of community service, pay restitution to the county for the cost of taking care of the seized animals and pay over $1,500 in court costs.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of four remaining animals that have been held in foster care at the Lenawee Humane Society.
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