“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
It was two years ago last month when tragedy struck at the Green Acre boarding facility in Gilbert, Arizona.
Twenty-three dogs, now known as the Gilbert 23, lost their lives when they were all crammed into a small room with inadequate ventilation and no air conditioning on that Arizona summer night. The dogs were locked into the room around 11:00pm on July 19, 2014 and not checked on until the next morning, when several of the dogs were already dead and others were struggling to stay alive.
Instead of calling dog owners, authorities, or veterinarians for help, the deceased dogs were piled into a storage shed on the property while efforts to save some of the dogs still living by hosing them down outside were unsuccessful.
It wasn’t until a day later when Todd and Meleisa Hughes, owners of the Green Acre facility, began contacting the dogs’ families. But, instead of being truthful and accepting responsibility, they told owners their dogs had escaped and become lost. Several families searched frantically for their dogs, not knowing their bodies were piled up in a shed on Green Acre property.
When the truth came out about the dogs’ deaths, kennel owners insisted that one of the dogs had chewed through a cord that powered the room’s air conditioning unit. A claim that police later proved to be false.
Before boarding their dogs at Green Acre, pet owners were told that their dogs would be treated with the highest level of care, living in the home like family, sleeping in beds with the owner’s children. Instead, up to 28 dogs were packed into a single 9′ x 12′ room, with only one air vent and a door sealed with caulking to “prevent dog smell from getting into the rest of the house.”
Necropsies performed on 7 of the deceased dogs showed their deaths were consistent with suffocation, a result of too many dogs in a small room with inadequate ventilation.
The Hughes’ continued to deny responsibility until yesterday when the couple accepted a plea deal in the case. Both changed their pleas to guilty of fraud for misleading customers about the conditions inside their boarding facility and guilty of animal cruelty in the deaths of all 23 dogs left in a small room and found dead after a hot night without air-conditioning.
In exchange for their plea, Todd and Meleisa Hughes will each serve 23 days in jail.
One day for each dead dog.
Dog owners’ reactions to the plea deal are mixed.
“I feel good that they have admitted guilt. I feel good that Maleisa has finally realized that she will be punished for what they did cause it was gross animal cruelty and neglect and what they did to our dogs was horrific,” said Valerie Collins who lost two dogs in the incident.
“Ultimately we wanted this to go to trial and have a jury decide,” said Shannon Gillette, another victim who lost two dogs.
“We wanted them convicted of a felony. We wanted them to go to jail and we are getting some of that even though it’s just a little spit in the pan but it shows that we prevailed,” said Jacqueline Heath who lost three dogs in the incident.
In addition to 23 days in jail, the Hughes will complete 230 hours of community service and serve three years of probation. They are no longer allowed to accept any new animals for boarding. They must also present a written apology to the victims’ families.
An official sentence will be handed down on September 9.
Remember the Gilbert 23:
Ruth Myers
Jul 7, 2016 at 6:03 pm
These people should be ban from owning animals for life!!!when is animal cruelty going to be a felony in the stat of Arizona!!!!!!
Annette
Jul 7, 2016 at 2:22 pm
23 days?! Shame on the state of Arizona for not prosecuting these MURDERERS to the fullest extent of the law – no reason for a plea so lax when 23 dogs lost their lives! Those were family members! What a shame the prosecutor seems to think the same as these murderers to have offered such a sad deal to them – guilty of fraud?! How about all the other charges that should have been brought against these awful people?!
cyndi
Jul 6, 2016 at 7:34 pm
plea bargin…now that is a damn shame…no justice for these poor babies…this country is going to hell..absolutely disgusting!
April B. Denton
Jul 6, 2016 at 6:32 pm
WHY WAS THEIR LICENSE NOT REVOKED FOR LIFE!!! NOT ALLOWING ANY NEW BOARDING ANIMALS IS NOT ENOUGH!!!
ad
Jul 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm
This some bullshit. These devils get 23 days in jail for killing 23 animals. They only was given 23 days because their white. Had they been black they would have been serving 23 years. A year for each dog. Look at how Michael Vick got years, his football career almost ruined and a big ass fine.
EDITH
Jul 6, 2016 at 2:09 pm
THINK YOU CAN STILL BRING A PERSONAL SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR DAMAGES AND LOSS
Annette
Jul 7, 2016 at 2:28 pm
These families should absolutely file a civil suit against these murderers and make sure they take every penny they have or may ever make!
Stacey Couture
Jul 5, 2016 at 7:30 pm
23 days shows absolutely no regard for the lives of those dogs who were part of people’s families and does little to deter other acts of needless animal cruelty when there is so little price to pay. It absolutely makes me sick to think of my dog, my family member suffering and dying that way.
Victoria
Jul 5, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Why would anyone want them to be near ANY animals? Community service should be picking up garbage somewhere!
Tamara
Jul 5, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Complete scum bags makes me sick. Not near enough punishment for either of the two. May they rot in hell.
SueBee
Jul 5, 2016 at 11:17 am
I just watched the video and can hardly type through the tears. Horrific. My dog is old and will die of old age in the next 3-4 years and take a chunk of my heart with him but that is life as we know it. But to take your dog somewhere and drop them off to die – unknowingly…ahhh…I can’t imagine the heartache.
Why do we allow this stuff to hsppen? Research is proving our pets have emotions. They think, and feel. They hurt emotionally. Yet we (as a society) allow them to be treated as not much more than big clumps of cellular junk.
Aurora Madrigal
Jul 5, 2016 at 1:33 am
Justice would be to seal them up in a room for 23 days in the hot Arizona weather. Make sure to hose them down when the door is opened. They should be banned frim EVER coming into contact with any animal again.
Cindy
Jul 4, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Poor baby more like 23years Sooooo very zsad god bless you puppy dogs!!!!
Anita warren
Jul 4, 2016 at 11:11 pm
SO NOT RIGHT! THIS IS 23 COUNTS OF FELONY! IT SHOULD BE A HELL OF A LOT MORE THAN 1 DAY PER DOG! THIS NEEDS TO BE APPEALED!!!
Elizabeth Reyes
Jul 4, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Let’s get there pictures out there. They’re even smiling in there picture as if they didn’t care ,they’re awful people
Dorothy Barrows
Jul 4, 2016 at 10:40 am
A shameful act of cruelty. You, sir, are a disgrace to your country and viewed all over the world as dangerous, and disturbing to all sacred living things.
H
michele
Jul 4, 2016 at 8:13 am
crazy more like 23 years would be more like it rest in piece angels
Deb Smith
Jul 4, 2016 at 3:15 pm
Ok the Hughes got their punishment. Since they were ultimately responsible . So what did young Mr Flake and his wife get? They were the ones responsible since the Huges’s were out of town at the time of the neglect.
Caitlin
Jul 6, 2016 at 4:31 pm
The charges against them were dropped. Must be nice to be a senator’s son.
Claire
Jul 4, 2016 at 2:51 am
How disturbing, 23 days!!! This should have went to trial, no plea bargain should have been accepted. These low life’s killed 23 dogs and just got a tap on the hand! So so sad!!!!
Cookie
Jul 4, 2016 at 12:20 am
Use the laws, that’s what they’re for. That was a ridiculous sentence!!
Wendy
Jul 3, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Intentionally cruel people and these people have children in the home? Is anyone else taking care of the children?
Beda
Jul 3, 2016 at 9:53 pm
I don’t know but I’m guessing Arizona has inadequate laws regarding animal welfare. The only way to correct this is for someone to start working for the benefit of the animals. Begin by contacting Animal Shelters to volunteer and ask for help in changing the laws. I know it can be done. This would not have become the outcome in Iowa as the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and many volunteers and Iowa citizens worked tirelessly to have our laws changed. It won’t happen by itself.
Mary Terry
Jul 3, 2016 at 9:35 pm
I am so sorry for all the dog owners who lost their best friends. There is no justice that will make it right. Your dogs will want you to remember them in happy times.
Wishing you peace and love.
Rachel wertz
Jul 3, 2016 at 8:46 pm
They should be sentenced longer than 23 days. A year for each dog. 23 years.this is just so inhumane. The govrrment needs to start jailing these ppl
A lot longer. Its a living breathing thing.if they canjail stupid drug addicts for long time. They can do animal abusers.really get with it
Cheryl Marfisi
Jul 3, 2016 at 8:22 pm
the biggest travesty to my mind is the fact that these two people were actually out of town the whole week of this incident. Their daughter and her husband were left to care for the dogs in the kennel owners’ absence. These two younger family members were the ones who actually placed all those dogs into that small room for the night. Unfortunately, all charges originally lodged against them were later dropped and they walked away totally free. Many of us here in Phoenix believe that political influence was a key factor in dropping those charges. The owners of the kennel should bear ultimate responsibility for the false promises and horrible conditions of the facility, but the younger couple should also be held accountable.
Faith Murphy
Jul 3, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Welcome to AZ. Also involved in these deaths were the son of US senator Jeff Flake and his girlfriend who were on duty to take care of the dogs when the incident happened. Now does their sentence make sense????????
K Murray
Jul 3, 2016 at 4:06 pm
I am so angry and disgusted beyond words, my heart breaks for the suffering those beloved pets went thru.. I pray to God that the 2 POS rot in hell and are tormented until then…
Ms Mj Snify
Jul 3, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Hopefully they will get their JUST DESSERTs While doing Time!
Mj ysniffy
Jul 3, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Hopefully some hard core Dog lover will kick their Butts in the Clink!
sniffy
Jul 3, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Hopefully a Hard Core Animal lover will kick the S%*T out of these unhumans while doing their time
Deb
Jul 3, 2016 at 1:29 pm
This is a joke of a sentence.. 23 days.. 1 day per dog lost… should be 23 years for fraud and animal cruelty!!! This is disgraceful and not holding them accountable at all.
Painterz
Jul 3, 2016 at 12:38 pm
I’m glad that they admitted that they are guilty but these folks are liars! The Gilbert 23 died a horrible death! They should not ever be aloud to own a biz mess of any kind. The punishment they got is a slap on the hand but I’m glad they got what they did. There is no excuse for there negligence period!! These people are nothing but liars and 1 day karma will catch up with them for what they have done. No words can explain the heartbreak they caused for so many family’s. You POS people !!! I hope you enjoy your time in jail!
Barb Mason
Jul 3, 2016 at 10:42 am
Seriously? Twenty-three days? It’s disgraceful. At least tell me it’s both of them together in a 2×2 cell with no ventilation or air in the Arizona desert.
Darcy
Jul 3, 2016 at 9:23 am
Outrageous!!! 23 days seriosly??? SMH!
Animal Rescuer
Jul 3, 2016 at 12:04 pm
I had tears in my eyes seeing all the photos God bless each and everyone of you and God bless the poor dogs that died. These people deserved more than 23 days that is outrageous. Hopefully these people will be out of business for life.
Renda
Jul 3, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Only good if each day was is a room like the dogs where trapped in.
Pat Graham
Jul 3, 2016 at 8:08 am
These two people are scum bags. They should not be allowed to work in any kind of animal Organization for their b******* amount of community hours they have to serve. They should not no with animals because they have no respect for their lives. And 23 days in jail what a joke. I know people who have served more not killed anything or anybody and had traffic tickets that could not pay. What is this supposed to teach them. Nothing. That’s what. If they let animals die and hurt them they will do it to humans.
Renda
Jul 3, 2016 at 1:38 pm
This woman has fosterkids??? OMG! Unbelievable!
Pat Graham
Jul 3, 2016 at 8:06 am
These two people are scum bags. They should not be allowed to work in any kind of animal Organization for their b******* amount of community hours they have to serve. They should not be allowed around any kind of animals because they have no respect for their lives. And 23 days in jail what a joke. I know people who have served more not killed anything or anybody and had traffic tickets that could not pay. What is this supposed to teach them. Nothing. That’s what. If they let animals die and hurt them they will do it to humans.
trisha foreman
Jul 3, 2016 at 3:55 am
23 days??? What a insult to the families of these poor dogs….23 months would have been a slap in the face… But at least they would have done “real time” 23 days will be a vacation to these low life people. …
ashley
Jul 3, 2016 at 12:40 am
im sorry they should be put in the same room and have no water no food.. And let them rot. Also u all have smiles on your face walking out of the courtroom really??????????
Jim
Jul 3, 2016 at 2:57 pm
I totally agree Ashley. These POS should be put in the same room and left there until they are dead. They should experience the same slow, excruciating pain and suffering that comes with suffocating from heat and a lack of air. I cannot believe a settlement was accepted. These two scumbags have shown again and again they are willing to lie, deny and minimize any responsibility what so ever. They have accepted a plea bargain that is so ridiculous whoever proposed it should be ashamed of themselves. I hope these individuals are shown true justice. They have no humanity or integrity. They bring nothing good to this world. What a waste of life these two are.
Shar McGuire
Jul 3, 2016 at 12:06 am
They should have gotten 23 years each !! an absolute disgusting crime & then lie to everyone…What kind of justice is that ?? I think the judge needs to go back to law school… too bad I wasn’t the judge… They have basically gotten away with murder. & what about the emotional distress on the poor owners? They need to be compensated for their loss.This is abuse to the max & the stupid judge will let them walk away…..Disgraceful.
Christi Whitney
Jul 2, 2016 at 11:44 pm
WTF is wrong with the prosecutors and the judges
They murdered 23 dogs, lied to the owners, hid the bodies and they get to spend 23 days in jail
I hope that Judges name is released and not voted back in
WH
Jul 2, 2016 at 11:20 pm
1 day…1 day is all the dogs lives are worth. Unbelievable!!! They should spend at least 1 month in jail for each dog. They knew the condition they placed those dogs in was dangerous and abusive and then they didn’t even seek medical attention for the dogs that weren’t dead by morning. This is soooo wrong!!!
Patricia Hodges
Jul 2, 2016 at 10:38 pm
The local prosecutor, or whoever brokered this deal should be discharged. One day for each life is outrageous. Hopefully the judge will have the heart to negate the deal, which I imagine is within his power, and see that these monsters go to trial so justice may be achieved for the pups and their families.
Becky
Jul 2, 2016 at 9:24 pm
The punishment for these two fat asses should be the two of them crammed into a closet for those 23 days.
Marion McCloskey
Jul 2, 2016 at 9:20 pm
So these a-holes are serving only one DAY for each dog!! That is ludicrous! How about one YEAR for each dog.
Theresa Mowry
Jul 2, 2016 at 8:38 pm
One year at least for each poor defenseless pup. I hope they get what should come to them. I pray I never meet them. I would not be responsible for what I might do.
Elizabeth Fulks
Jul 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm
I think they took the plea because they were really starting to worry about what would happen if the “jury” decided their fate. Since it has been two years, they both realized the ‘case’ wasn’t going away and that people still remembered and were still outraged about what they did. They don’t feel sorry and they still don’t think they did wrong. If they truly felt sorry and felt the guilt, they would issue an apology on their own. They would publicly acknowledge the pain the dogs’ owners endured and have felt all these years. This is just my opinion.
Hal Sisson
Jul 2, 2016 at 7:45 pm
These two people should receive FELONY charges for heinous neglect & abuse that resulted in death. MURDER. 23 YEARS would be a good start, if the judicial system is going to go easy on them.
Deanna
Jul 2, 2016 at 7:39 pm
I’d like to smack the smiles right off they’re nasty faces! Just sickening and sad… 1 damn day per a family member that was interesting in their care!!! What is wrong with our justice system?! I hope the families that are suffering from their loss, personally sues the sh*t out of them!!!
Sharon
Jul 2, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Found Meleisa Hughes’ Facebook page as –
MaLeisa Green Hughes
Everyone should saturate her messages with how you feel about this case. Just take a look at her and her disgusting husbands picture. They need to be set straight that we will not forget about what they have done. I really hope the law stops them from ever having or being near an animal again.
Sharon
Jul 2, 2016 at 6:09 pm
ARE YOU KIDDING ME! We need to saturate the internet with their information so EVERYONE knows what they did and show our distain. We need to wipe those smirks right off their faces. Tell everyone you know about these people so they have no peace, no rest. For those that are doing what they can to bring justice to the voiceless, God bless you. For these two rotten people, God saw what you did and will meet you with his justice one day.
Rosalie Cortez
Jul 2, 2016 at 5:38 pm
1 day for each dog is hardly punishment thise poor dogs suffered and I can’t begin to imagine what they went through I feel justice was not served at all….RIP to the 23 dogs who lost their lives.
Sherri michalski
Jul 2, 2016 at 5:36 pm
Not enough punishment. Just a slap on the wrist. This is a example of why people do Aweful stuff like this cause they know nothing will happen to them.
gloria
Jul 2, 2016 at 5:33 pm
1 year per dog and in a non airconditioned cell with other inbmates.. The fact they are related to a polkitician means they got thier butts kissed.
Vic
Jul 2, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Can they at least please serve this in a maximum security prison with a lonely “Bubba”?
Barbara Idso
Jul 2, 2016 at 4:33 pm
I don’t understand the penalty. They lied, the killed 23 dogs and they only get 23 days in jail? Our legal system needs to be revamped.
Peg
Jul 2, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Plea deals suck. Criminals get away with heinous crimes and then get a slap on the hand with a plea deal. Shame, shame, shame. Who allows this travesty of justice to happen?
Hal Sisson
Jul 2, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Total leniency. Travesty of justice! These people should serve no less than 23 years, receive HEAVY FINES and be forbidden to keep any animals ever again. FELONY CHARGES, nothing less!
diane
Jul 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm
So erong again justice has not been served 23 days in jail for the death of 23 dogs that’s 1 day for each dog how is that justice…so disappointed in our judicial systems
Tim Mahoney
Jul 2, 2016 at 1:31 pm
It should be at least ONE YEAR for each dog. Scum of the earth these people
EK
Jul 2, 2016 at 11:32 am
Those worthless pieces of human debris should serve 23 years in prison for torturing those poor dogs. I hope the community takes its revenge against them when they get out making their lives completely miserable for years to come.
N
Jul 3, 2016 at 9:37 am
Couldn’t agree more!!!!!!!!!! Hope they suffer greatly for the rest of their lives for what these two monsters did!!!!!!!!!!!
Shawn Gers
Jul 2, 2016 at 10:37 am
Slaughter Both These Scumbags, Then Lynch The Judge Who Handed Down The Sentence! Done!
Patti Meyers
Jul 2, 2016 at 10:12 am
Not even close to being enough!! Did anyone consider the suffering these poor dogs went through before they slowly suffocated? One day for each dog…unacceptable…now 23 years for each dog might have been better…I have no words…the system sucks!!
Lynn
Jul 2, 2016 at 10:05 am
THESE PEOPLE ARE MONSTERS
Sharon
Jul 2, 2016 at 10:01 am
This was not even close to being a just punishment. It should be closer to 23 months or 23 years (with 23 years being the more appropriate punishment for suffocating 23 dogs, fraud, etc., and that’s letting them off lightly). This ‘sentence is yet one more example of the rich, well connected and powerful being allowed a special privilege and class when it comes to punishment in our judicial system.
After all, let’s not forget that the caretakers at the time of the killings were the children of Senator Jeff Flake, and THEY were never charged. The Hughes were on vacation when this happened. Funny how the people who were there and responsible for what happened never faced the law, but the owners who weren’t present did…….
Why doesn’t this story tell THOSE facts?
lori peck
Jul 2, 2016 at 7:40 am
I cannot understand why these two got off with just a few days in jail.They should be in federal prison. The judge should step down.
Star Shelley
Jul 2, 2016 at 1:07 am
23 days Really!!!!! Should be 23 years for each one. The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities. Quess these two idiots forgot that? May you two have no peace in your heart,soul and mind.
Carol MacDonald
Jul 2, 2016 at 12:30 am
This is DISGUSTING AND TOTAL ABUSE. AND ALL THEY GET IS ONE DAY PER DOG??? Are you fucking kidding me????? Cats dogs or whatever pet family’s have are members of the FAMILY. WHY CAN THESE TWO COLD HEARTED INEXCUSE OF A HUMAN PIECE OF SHIT BR PUT INTO A ROOM THS SIZE OF A BROOM CIOSET??? NO AIR- SEAL THE DOOR OFF. HOPEFULLY THEY’LL DIE AND SAVE THE JAILS/PRISONS.
Marjorie gauntt
Jul 1, 2016 at 10:33 pm
This is unbelievable.
What jurisdiction was this?
Should have been sentenced to 23 years per person.
Cleigh
Jul 1, 2016 at 9:51 pm
As a dog lover, I’m DISGUSTED that they have not been charged with more time or penalties. Dogs are a part of a family and these lying losers should be treated as though they killed humans!
Cleigh
Jul 1, 2016 at 9:52 pm
They are fatty stupid pigs of people
Scott Jones
Jul 1, 2016 at 8:41 pm
I have a few ideas about adequate punishment, which sure AS Hell WAS NOT MET HERE. Most of these ideas of mine border on the medieval, so can’t be said publicly w/o sounding like I place more value on the life of a good dog than I do on the life of a human. I guess that might be true, depending on the human. Please give out my email address.
Paula Rush
Jul 1, 2016 at 8:19 pm
I do not understand why law allows tradedy to happen to animals. 23 days is not enough for justice for those sweet fur babies that has a family in mourning due to murder. I feel like they need more jail time and I’m not talking about 23 days either. Rest in Peace sweet fur babies. God will get justice since the law can’t get it together. And I’m speaking nicely !!!!
Joy Tafolla
Jul 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Are you KIDDING Me?!?!?! What efn idiot handed that joke of a sentence down? They are a pathetic excuse for a judge. Too bad you can’t just shoot stupid people.
Bonnie Welch
Jul 1, 2016 at 6:51 pm
THIS IS THE BIGGEST JOKE I EVER HEARD?? WHAT KIND OF JUDGE DOES THIS???? THESE 2 POS SOB SCUM BAG EVIL IDIOTS BELONG IN PRISON FOR LIFE!!!!!! NO GETTING OUT EVER AND NEVER ANY PAROLE OFFERED. THEY TOOK 23 LIVES!!! THEY DESERVE TO BE TORTURED!! I HOPE THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THESE EVIL IDIOTS HAUNT THEM!!!I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THEY GOT 23 DAYS….MAKES ME SICK!!! YOU DAMN JUDGES LIKE THIS IS WHY ANIMAL CRUELTY DOESNT STOP!!! THAT WAS THE MOST RIDICULOUS SENTENCE I EVER SAW!!!! CAN SOMEONE APPEAL THIS?????ID BE AT THEIR DOOR STEP ALL THE TIME BEETING THE CRAP OUT OF THEM TILL THEY WISHED THEY WERE DEAD!!! INMATES DO THE SAME AS THEY SERVE 4 DAYS AND GET OUT EARLY!! THATS WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THIS IS THE BIGGEST DISGRACE EVER!!! PEOPLE OF THAT CITY AND STATE….DONT LET THIS GO.
Margaret M
Jul 1, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Not enough time in jail, not enough monetary fines, not enough at all.
I hope the owners can sue for civil damages but it’s unlikely they would get anything since dogs are property and pets aren’t valued highly under the law.
I’m sorry that the DA took that lenient of a plea deal. A jury trial might have possibly given a better result, although the pet lovers would have been excluded from the jury….
Carol Turner
Jul 1, 2016 at 5:40 pm
Outrages! One day for each dog, disgusting.
Peter Broughton.
Jul 1, 2016 at 8:18 pm
At the very least they should of got 1year for each pets life,1day sounds like…Nobody cares for the dogs or their owners,
Well l care and l hope Karma catches up with them during their 23 disgusting justice days.
Candice Bowden
Jul 2, 2016 at 7:36 am
My sentiments exactly!!! 1 year for every dog would’ve been a great START!!! Followed by hefty fines to all animal shelters, banning of them and their children from EVER owning any animals…and then making them stay overnight in that same fucking room with no air!!!!!Fucking shitheads!!!!
Zinnia Politzer
Jul 1, 2016 at 4:26 pm
They should never be allowed to have a pet care business again. The jail time is way too short!
KramerMagnus
Jul 1, 2016 at 4:15 pm
How is it Michael Vick severed 18 months in a federal prison for killing 8 of his 54 dogs and these people killed 23 and get less than a month? This is so wrong and a Huge step backward for animal rights.
April
Jul 1, 2016 at 3:45 pm
sorry for this BUT ARE U F:CKING KIDDING ME!!!!Throw their ass in a room like that with now room to move and or be able to breath!!! So we can seen how it works out for them
Amy Rushing
Jul 1, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Nope. Not enough time. That’s ridiculous. Disgusting and disappointing. Justice was definitely NOT served here.
Roe Castagna
Jul 1, 2016 at 3:23 pm
I hope they get the crap beaten out of them every one of those days!!!! And then every day the rest of their lives!
Robbie G
Jul 1, 2016 at 3:20 pm
I sincerely hope that the Judge REJECTS this plea bargain when it comes to final sentencing! These dogs were members of people’s families! They were loved and valued! This was intentional neglect resulting in cruelty and death. Followed up with false statements to police and utter fraud! If the Judge accepts the terms of this deal, He/She needs to step down from the bench!!
People such as these only understand one thing… the almighty dollar. Hit them in the wallet. Fine them to the maximum allowed for every dog’s life they took. Ban them from every having a pet of their own as well as banning them from ever having a business that interacts with animals.
If I had lost any of my babies in this case, I would be filing a civil suit immediately upon their guilty plea being articulated in the courtroom!! If every owner, of every dog that perished did this, they just might understand what they have done. However, I doubt that! They are despicable human beings regardless of the outcome here!!
Jackie H
Jul 1, 2016 at 2:53 pm
This is sickening. Maybe if they did start giving the people who abuse dogs the same treatment that they inflict, this horrible treatment of animals will stop or at the very least start to disappear. I say let’s lock them in a hot car.
Renee
Jul 1, 2016 at 2:46 pm
23 counts of animal cruelty and neglect, not to mention the pain and suffering of the owners. I hope there are lawsuits for wrongful death. My husband and I have an RV and don’t go anywhere that our 4 children (dogs) can’t safely go. I agree, no wonder society has slipped to a new low. Make people accountable for their actions and punishments should fit the crime!!!! NO PLEA DEALS!!!
Dan Stewart
Jul 1, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Rie, probably both.
Janet Robertson
Jul 1, 2016 at 2:06 pm
The entire legal community needs to be educated ! There skumbags names need to be spread far and wide…so they are never again allowed to be near any animal…they are so vulnerable and compliant….I hope the other inmates “take care of them” during that unbelievably stupid short sentence. What was wrong with the DEFENSE ACCEPTING THIS DEAL ?????
Janet G Heinle
Jul 1, 2016 at 1:56 pm
I HATE THESE PEOPLE
S.W.
Jul 1, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Go back to court to change the ruling. They need to pay restitution, they need to be broke for the rest of their lives. Not even then will they pay back all the emotional damage they have caused by killing these precious family members. By lying not only do they show guilt and gross negligence but they tried to hide their hideous crime.
Sandra Sturm
Jul 1, 2016 at 11:28 am
23 years would not be enough time to me. A dog’s life only worth 24 hours? If it had been a jury trial, perhaps it would have gone differently.
sherry
Jul 1, 2016 at 11:03 am
SERIOUSLY?! What is wrong with the stupid laws and judges? These people don’t deserve to see the light of day! If it were one of my dogs they did that too, I would be waiting for them the day the walk out of jail. These scum bags need to pay for the cruel acts they inflicted of these precious dogs. I am so sick of these lawyers giving out “plea deals” and letting slim of the earth people “walk”! No wonder no one cares what they do, they won’t face any penalties for it. I demand justice for these people who have lost their precious babies. What a horrible way to die! I’d like to put them in a hot sauna and watch them suffocate! SLIM, that what they are.
sleeper48
Jul 1, 2016 at 11:08 am
They should be sued in a civil suit. They would owe the rest of their lives to those people whose pets they destroyed.
Rie A
Jul 1, 2016 at 10:26 am
23 days who they pay off or is the judge just that STUPID