------------- Legal News
------------- Written by: Staff Reporter
Innocent plea in cruelty case
June 27, 2006
Herald Staff
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A 37-year-old Wilder woman pleaded innocent this week to one count of animal cruelty. Michelle L. Greene was arraigned in White River Junction District Court this week on charges filed by the Hartford Police Department following a raid at her home on April 21. Police allege Greene deprived her animals of adequate food, water and shelter. A ferret had to be euthanized because of its poor condition, court records revealed. Police affidavits stated dogs, cats, birds and the ferret were taken to the Upper Valley Humane Society.
Police said they were alerted to the problem by Greene's neighbors. Greene first denied Hartford's animal control officer access to her home, so police returned with a search warrant. Police said the floors in Greene's Norwich Avenue home were covered with urine-soaked clothes. A total of 19 animals were removed from Greene's home. A veterinarian who accompanied the police, Dr. Krysten Aarbo, wrote in her affidavit that the animals appeared healthy but severely underfed, and the victims of "severe neglect." Aarbo said seven dogs were in crates, with no food or water, there were six large parrots, a ferret and some guinea pigs. Two cats roamed free in the house, the vet noted. Many of the dogs were large breeds, such as St. Bernard's, great Pyrenees and Bernese mountain dogs. Police said there was no evidence of food or water set out for the animals. Greene was released on conditions. If convicted, she faces a $1,000 fine. Recommend this article...
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