- Indiana, USA -
Authorities have arrested again 70-year-old LORETTA MICHELE CHILDERS (pictured below), and she is facing more animal cruelty charges.
On March 3, police found on CHILDERS’ property five cats, nine dogs, and two horses.
WPTA reports that according to court documents an officer was “overwhelmed” by the odor inside her home.
The property was covered in urine and feces, did not have any running water, and was not suitable for any living being.
The officer also reported that there was no food for the animals.
As reported by WPTA, five of the dogs found in the home were puppies, and three of them had duct tape holding their ears together.
Police said it appeared to be a failed attempt to crop the puppies’ ears.
The poor horses had to put their heads through a barbed wire fence in order to eat.
Officers said that the dogs and cats were taken to the Whitley County Humane Society, while the horses are now in the care of the Shadarobah Horse Rescue.
CHILDERS was arrested on March 18, on one felony count of animal cruelty.
She was released the same day after posting bond.
Online records show that CHILDERS has a court date scheduled for March 22, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.
~
LORETTA CHILDERS had already been arrested on February 27, 2020, after officials removed one cat and sixty-six dogs from her home near Crooked Lake.
She and her husband, 72-year-old EUGENE ALBERT CHILDERS JR. (pictured below), were charged with ten counts each of misdemeanor abandonment or neglect of a vertebrate animal.
The husband could not be immediately booked because he was on an out-of-state business trip.
On February 17, 2020, zoning and health officials went to the couple’s home on 965 E. Gatesworth Drive in Columbia City and discovered one cat and sixty-six dogs.
Many of the furbabies were emaciated and suffering from illness and afflictions including flea infestation, open sores, hair loss, and scaly skin.
The Journal Gazette reported at the time that charging documents stated: “Eight-week-old puppies had ulcerated foot pads, and one dog “had what appeared to be extensive mammary gland tumors”.”
In July 2020, CHILDERS had pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.
Online records show that EUGENE ALBERT CHILDERS JR. is scheduled to appear in court on April 21, 2021, at 1:15 p.m.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.