AR-News: (MS - US) Woman denied return of animals in cruelty case

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

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 Posted on Wed, Feb. 11, 2004   
 
Vancleave woman denied return of animals in cruelty case
Associated Press

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. - A Jackson County judge has refused to return to a Vancleave woman the 18 horses and two llamas seized in an animal cruelty case.

Jeanne Huston, who had been charged with 20 counts of mistreating animals, was fined $2,000 last week after entering a no contest plea in Jackson County Justice Court.

On Tuesday, Judge Larry Wilson refused to return the animals to Huston.

Law enforcement officers seized the horses and llamas from Huston's property on Oct. 29. During the search, they also found the skeletal remains of two animals in the stall with live animals. The officers left behind another 30 horses, seven or eight goats and several dogs.

In his ruling, Wilson said the animals were correctly seized, should not be returned and were forfeited to the county. Wilson had suggested that the animals be auctioned and the money raised be given to the county to cover the cost of feeding the animals.

Huston told the judge she knew she needed more property for the animals and was about to close on 160 acres in Stone County when she was charged.

Huston, who now owns the additional property, said she has the space she needs to care for the animals.

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