- California, USA -
On April 19, in El Dorado County Superior Court, 48-years-old JENNIFER ELAINE COWLES and her mother 71-years-old ADELE CHRISTINE PAINTER (both pictured), have pled guilty to animal cruelty charges “in a case where multiple animals were exposed to inhumane conditions and severe neglect”, announced El Dorado County Animal Services in a press release.
According to Henry Brzezinski, Chief of El Dorado County Animal Services, COWLES pled guilty to one felony count of animal cruelty and PAINTER entered a guilty plea to a Misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.
In addition to both being ordered by the court to not possess any animals for 10 years, COWLES will be on two years formal probation, while PAINTER will be on one year summary probation.
Both mother and daughter, are subject to search and seizure, and restitution to Animal Services.
They are also required to notify Animal Services within 48 hours of any change in their address.
According to the release, the animals involved in the case included “multiple dogs whose mouths were duct taped shut to keep them quiet, forcing them to go for extended periods of time without water.”
Additionally, at least one horse was found to be severely malnourished.
The VOICELESS VICTIMS were removed by El Dorado County Animal Services and given shelter and needed medical care.
Chief Brzezinski said: “What these animals endured was horrific. Thankfully, we were able to intervene, provide assistance to them, and bring resolution to this case.”
It all started in October 2020, when COWLES and PAINTER, suspected of running a puppy mill, “were issued multiple County citations for operating without a commercial kennel license, allowing their horses to run loose, and neglecting to provide water for multiple animals, including livestock”, stated the release.
El Dorado County Animal Services conducted follow up checks and in June 2021, the execution of a search warrant led to evidence of cruelty and severe neglect.
Officials discovered dogs with duct tape around their mouths. The poor souls had new wounds and past scarring on their muzzles from being taped repeatedly.
The animals were found in “inhumane conditions.” They were malnourished and one horse in particular was starving and was 300 pounds underweight and in need of immediate veterinary treatment to prevent death.
Officials also found records of illegal sales of the puppies.
Animal Services removed a total of 17 animals including:
8 dogs
5 goats
3 horses
1 sheep
In October 2021, after COWLES and PAINTER had been arraigned, Animal Services conducted a follow up search to determine if the females were complying with their court ordered conditions of release.
As many of us know all too well, some animal abusers do not care about the legal consequences of their actions and just continue to offend over and over again!
Animal Services, in fact, determined that mother and daughter were hiding seven dogs on their property on Goldorado Trail, in the town of El Dorado.
“Two adult dogs were stashed in trash cans and two litters of puppies were dumped in the woods behind the house in an attempt to hide the dogs from Animal Services” stated the release. These furbabies were also removed and provided care by Animal Services.
Chief Brzezinski said that all of the animals initially removed from the property have since recovered and been placed with new homes and/or animal welfare partners.
The dogs and puppies removed in October of 2021, will be placed up for adoption once they have been cleared by the Animal Services veterinarian.
Chief Brzezinski expressed gratitude to volunteer Marianne Cann as well as a long list of agency partners who helped them bring resolution to the case and about COWLES and PAINTER said: “Thankfully, these individuals will no longer have animals in their possession.”
If you are interested in adopting furbabies in the care of El Dorado County Animal Services, please visit their website. Thank you!
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Pictured shared from El Dorado County Animal Services
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