Gadsden animal hoarder suspects plead guilty to animal cruelty - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Gadsden animal hoarder suspects plead guilty to animal cruelty

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By Dixon Hayes - email
Anthony Smith and Brian Ragsdale pleaded guilty today to the misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. Source: WBRC video Anthony Smith and Brian Ragsdale pleaded guilty today to the misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. Source: WBRC video
Most of the 140 animals seized by officials were birds. Source: WBRC video Most of the 140 animals seized by officials were birds. Source: WBRC video
Around 20 dogs were seized from the Gadsden home. Source: WBRC video Around 20 dogs were seized from the Gadsden home. Source: WBRC video
Police and animal control officials seized the animals from this home on 8th Street in Gadsden. Source: WBRC video Police and animal control officials seized the animals from this home on 8th Street in Gadsden. Source: WBRC video

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GADSDEN, AL (WBRC) -

Two Gadsden men, whose home was raided in an animal hoarding case July 31, have entered guilty pleas to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Anthony Smith and Brian Ragsdale were ordered to pay a total of $12,400 in restitution to the Humane Society of Etowah County for the expenses of housings and getting veterinary care for their 146 animals.

Animal control officers seized 126 birds, five cats and 20 dogs from their home.  Humane society officials later said all of the dogs had some kind of mange or bacterial infection.

The two men were also fined $500 each by Gadsden Municipal Judge Tom King.  They were each given six month suspended jail sentences and two years of unsupervised probation.  They were also ordered to follow the city ordinance on housing animals, no more than three pets per household.

The two left court without comment, and it's not known whether or not they'll try to appeal the sentence or restitution.

Jolie Entrekin of the Etowah County Humane Society says the animals are making progress regrowing their fur.  If the two do not appeal, the Humane Society will be able to adopt the animals out to others.

Entrekin says the Humane Society is still "begging" for donations of all types—money, food, toys—for the animals.  She says the costs of caring for the animals is taking a financial toll on the group as it also tries to shelter, and find homes for, a number of other healthy animals.

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