The Fayette Regional Humane Society has an update to a story from a week and a half ago.
40-year-old Julie R. Ross of Washington C.H. plead guilty to abandoning animals and prohibitions concerning animals during her municipal court arraignment Wednesday.
Judge Victor Pontious sentenced Ross with a $100 fine, and 30 days community service work with 15 days suspended on condition of good behavior for a year on each charge, according to Washington C.H. Municipal Court records.
The penalty for each of the second-degree misdemeanor charges could have resulted with a maximum $750 fine and up to 90-days in jail.
On August 14, a Fayette Regional Humane Society (FRHS) agent and a Washington C.H. Police Department officer responded to a North Fayette Street apartment after a deceased rabbit was found in an upstairs bedroom inside of a cage.
“I don’t feel the defendant should be allowed to own an animal for the terrible suffering of the rabbit. It was found dead in a decomposing state and that didn’t happen overnight” said Brad Adams, FRHS humane agent “A one-hundred dollar fine is the amount that someone could receive for a speeding violation, and until offenders receive stiffer penalties, crimes against animals won’t be taken seriously.”
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