A Washington C.H. man and woman who plead not guilty to charges of abandoning animals in April, were in court on Tuesday for their trial hearings.
51-year-old Ronald L. Newland and 47-year-old Sandy Queen were ordered by the court to not have dogs for five years. The court ruling comes after humane agents with the Fayette Regional Humane Society (FRHS) removed two dogs and a cat from their vacant, condemned home.
The property was condemned by the Fayette County Health Department in March with an order for it to be vacated on a date listed in April. It was reported to the humane society that Newland and Queen moved and left animals behind.
“We’ve had incidents involving the pet owners in the past and provided them with information on proper animal care”, according to humane agent Brad Adams. “If humane education isn’t changing the way people care for their animals then court action is eventually needed.”
FRHS Humane Agents responded and found two dogs outdoors and a cat sitting by the front doorsteps of the vacated residence. Bystanders were concerned that a third dog was possibly inside. Humane Agent Brad Adams who initially responded, called for a second humane agent to respond with a transport van. Officers with the Washington C.H. Police Department were also at the property while humane agents searched inside of the residence for additional animals. Although a third dog wasn’t located, mounds of garbage was found in and outside of the home.
The animals have since been adopted into new homes after they were surrendered into the care and custody of the humane society. “We are happy the animals have a new home indoors rather than being chained outdoors.” said Adams “Animals like to be close their owners and have that special bond.”
According to the FRHS, Bert, the Golden Retriever mix now enjoys kayaking with his new family in Cincinnati. Jake, a Shepherd Mix and Valerie, the domestic-short-haired cat were both adopted to families in Washington C.H.
The Fayette Regional Humane Society is a non-profit (501(c)(3), volunteer organization. They receive less than 2% of their support from governmental organizations and therefore must rely on donations, grants and fundraising to carry out their mission. The Humane Society is the only organization in Fayette County able to respond to calls about abused, neglected and injured domestic animals, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
To learn more about the Fayette Regional Humane Society, please visit their website at www.fayettehumanesociety.com