Guilty verdict reached against woman in Nevada County animal cruelty case
(FOX40.COM) — A Grass Valley woman was found guilty following a two-year investigation in relation to an animal cruelty case, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The guilty verdict was reached following a three-day trial of the woman who owned and operated Pitty-Pop Bull Rescue. The woman is guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty and operating a kennel without a permit.
Throughout the course of the investigation, animal control officers rescued a total of 35 dogs and puppies, the sheriff’s office said.
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“One of the animals we rescued was a little gray, male puppy that we found in a cage,” Nevada County Animal Control Supervisor Stefanie Geckler said. “Upon initial assessment of the puppy, we saw several open sores on the puppy’s tail-head, and hind end that appeared to be infected. He appeared lethargic, emaciated, and unable to walk.”
Geckler added that the puppy was on a soaking wet red-colored blanket that appeared to be the pup’s urine. The blanket was seized and weighed and tested for ammonia levels.
The blanket weighed 4.7 pounds with ammonia level reaching 230.86 PPM, which Geckler said is “dangerously high for any living being.”
According to officials, the investigation gained momentum in March 2023 after receiving a tip regarding endangered animals in a barn on the property. The sheriff’s office searched the barn and found 11 chickens and six dogs that were seized. Those six dogs were part of the 35 total that were rescued.
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Officials said there was an attempt to inspect the main home on the property the same day to conduct welfare checks on additional animals, but law enforcement was denied entry by a male.
A search warrant was later obtained in April 2023 and additional dogs were seized.
The sheriff’s office said many of the rescued animals were ill, malnourished, injured and/or were living in unsanitary conditions. Officials took all rescued animals to a local veterinarian for assessment and treatment.
The convicted woman will sentenced on March 18 at Nevada County Superior Court.
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