animal cruelty

Animal control officers began by removing six to eight dogs from a bedroom.

They were accused of not providing proper food and water for 27 of their animals in June 2019.

Officers also found a red dog collar in the blood and a dead guinea pig in a cage.

The animals' owner later took them to a veterinarian for evaluation.

Holly Gann, director of federal affairs at the advocacy group Animal Wellness Action, said the measure was long overdue.

The house had dirt, debris, animal feces, litter scattered throughout.

Lt. Kevin Theis says officers found dead livestock buried on the property south of Gillette with parts of them sticking out of the ground.

The Senate Committee of the Whole ended up voting against the bill by a 21-7 margin, with two absent.

The bill would increase the maximum fines for an animal cruelty conviction to $2,500 for a misdemeanor charge and up to $10,000 for a repeat or felony conviction.

Winter added that evidence was recovered from the scene.