MONICA ORTEGA arrested - Accused of leaving five dogs in poor condition

- Kentucky, USA -

On July 17, 2023, 38-years-old MONICA ORTEGA (pictured) was arrested for failing to properly care for her five dogs.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us, on December 12, 2022, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) responded to a Louisville residence to investigate a report about dogs who were being kept in a garage and not being properly cared for.

The complaint stated that LMAS Officer Ratliff called ORTEGA to the property, “she took ownership of the dogs” and was issued “a violation to get the dogs licensed.”

On January 18, 2023, LMAS returned to the property to conduct a follow up and reported that “the dogs appeared leaner and the floor of the garage was covered in feces, urine and debris.”

Officer Ratliff learned that ORTEGA had provided limited care to the dogs as she was “coming and going from the home.”

On February 24, 2023, Officer Clark went to the home to find out that ORTEGA had moved out leaving behind all five furbabies in poor condition. In the meantime, one of the dogs gave birth to six puppies. Officer Clark’s attempt to contact ORTEGA by phone was unsuccessful.

On March 13, 2023, Animal Control Lieutenant Forner went to the property “to document conditions and discuss impoundment of the dogs”, stated the complaint.

Lt. Forner found dogs and puppies “blocked off into a section of the garage that had feces, urine and trash throughout the space.” The mother of the puppies was found emaciated. There was a bowl of water and according to the complaint, “LMAS provided dog food for the family living in the residence.”

Two days later, on March 15, 2023, the puppies and their mom were removed and a reclaiming notice was posted at the residence.

On April 18, 2023, the remaining Voiceless Victims were also FINALLY removed!

The complaint, dated May 11, 2023, stated: “As of today's date, deft has not contacted LMAS nor has she reclaimed any of her pets.”

ORTEGA was arrested on July 17, 2023, and at this time of writing records show she is still in custody.

I have emailed LMAS and requested additional information about the furvictims. If I receive a response, I will post an update.

I wonder why it took so long to remove the dogs and why between December 12, 2022, and February 24, 2023, no one noticed the pregnant dog!

ORETGA is not the only one who failed the Voiceless Victims!

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.

Story on Voice For Us Facebook page

ORTEGA’s mugshot shared from the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.

Additional Source:

WAVE – July 19, 2023

#VoiceForUs #animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #jeffersoncounty #kentucky #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #louisville #prosecutors #judges #law #lawmakers #dogs #puppies

MORGAN JADE BARRICK, owner of Golden Grove Kennels, arrested – 21 dead dogs found at her home

- Kentucky, USA -

~ Update: June 26, 2023 - Charges upgraded to felonies.

The Radcliff Police Department announced that on the morning of Friday, June 23, 2023, 27-years-old MORGAN JADE BARRICK (pictured), was arrested for thirty-six (36) “counts of Felony Torture of Dog/Cat with Serious Physical injury or Death.”

In a news release police explained that the charges stem from a previous incident that began in May 2023, that led to BARRICK’s arrest for misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals of second-degree.

The release goes on to say that “Upon further investigation and collaboration with the University of Ky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Hardin County Office of Animal Control, the Hardin County Attorney’s Office, and the Hardin County Commonwealths Attorney’s Office, the case against Barrick was presented to the Hardin County Grand Jury on 06/22/2023 and they opted to indict Barrick for the felony offenses that were presented to them. Also presented was a case that was in 2022 in which a dog that was in Barrick’s care perished. She was also indicted for the same offense.”

Police said BARRICK was transported to the Hardin County Detention Center.

The same day, she was released on a $5,000 cash bond. BARRICK is due in Hardin County Circuit Court for her arraignment on July 18, 2023.

Update on Voice For Us Facebook page

~Original story:

The Radcliff Police Department arrested 26-years-old MORGAN JADE BARRICK (pictured), owner of Golden Grove Kennels, after twenty-one dogs who were in her care were found deceased at her Radcliff home.

Police said a dog’s guardian attempted to get in touch with BARRICK but was unable to, so on Friday, May 5, 2023, officers were dispatched to BARRICK’s home on Hallmark Place.

At the residence, officers detected an odor of decaying carcasses so a search warrant was obtained and executed.

Officers found thirty-five (35) dogs of various breeds who did not have adequate food or water. Among these dogs, were twelve (12) puppies and two (2) adult dogs who were physically in jeopardy.

According to the citation: “The animals still alive were skinny to the point that bony structures such as rib cages, elbows and hips could easily be identified. There was a very small amount of food located inside the residence and no water bowls were found inside the residence.”

As for the deceased dogs, nineteen (19) were found inside the residence and two (2) were discovered in a van parked outside. The vehicle was registered to BARRICK.

The two Voiceless Victims found in the van were in a kennel and “had been wrapped up in plastic bags with some type of white substance on the carcasses,” stated the citation.

In addition to the twenty-one deceased furbabies, officers also found many pieces of carcasses. Some of them were in trash bags and others had been eaten by other animals.

Hardin County Animal Care and Control removed the live animals.

On the afternoon of Friday, May 5, 2023, BARRICK was booked at Hardin County Detention Center on thirty-five (35) counts of second-degree animal cruelty (Class A), only a Misdemeanor in Kentucky!

Arrest records show BARRICK was released seven hours later after posting a ridiculous $2,500 bail. BARRICK’s arraignment is slated for Monday, May 8, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.

Just think, in Kentucky for lawmakers, the deaths of these innocent dogs are comparable to the following Class A Misdemeanors:

· Cultivation of less than five marijuana plants

· Theft By Unlawful Taking (TBUT) under $500 – shoplifting, for example

· Knowingly selling or transferring a firearm to a convicted felon

· Violation of a protective order (EPO/DVO)

· Possession of burglar’s tools

· Tampering with or rigging a sports contest

I have only listed a few examples. Class A Misdemeanors are punishable by up to twelve (12) months in jail and up to $500 in fines.

Do you agree that the punishment for taking the lives of these precious dogs should be more than a few months in jail and a measly fine? If you do, I beg you, reach out to Governor Andrew Graham Beshear and demand that all acts of animal cruelty are classified as Felonies!

The News-Enterprise reports the devastating story of a Dogue de Bordeaux named Cyrus.

Cyrus’ mom, Ms. Maryann Carter-Laventure, of Massachusetts, boarded him with BARRICK a little over a year ago. At the time Cyrus was only 14-months-old and when she dropped him off with BARRICK, he weighed 146 pounds.

Maryann told The News-Enterprise that she “would regularly ask for photos of Cyrus but would not get any.” She said she was paying BARRICK $600 a week to board and care for Cyrus.

Maryann believes that Cyrus’ death is the result of BARRICK’s actions. She explained to The News-Enterprise: “When I told her I was coming to get him, she ended up feeding him a large meal. He ended up bloating and he died.”

When Maryann picked up the body of her furbaby, he was underweight and had a burnt abdomen, nose and testicles. Two necropsies performed on Cyrus revealed he was only 96 pounds.

For Cyrus’ death, on February 11, 2022, BARRICK is facing a second-degree animal cruelty charge and for this case, BARRICK’s next appearance, a pretrial conference, is set for May 31, 2023, in Hardin District Court.

Maryann created a Facebook page called #JusticeForCyrus where she posts photos of her furbaby and keeps the community informed regarding the progress of the case against BARRICK.

Additionally, Maryann has organized a GoFundMe to support the legal expenses and at the time of this writing, eighty-nine (89) donations have raised $11,550.

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.

Story on Voice For Us Facebook page

Petition

BARRICK’s mugshot via Hardin County Detention Center.

Cyrus’ pictures were shared from Maryann’s Facebook account.

#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #kentucky #radcliff #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #hardincounty #dogs #kennels #JusticeForCyrus

University of Louisville student filmed himself committing sick, evil, and cruel acts on live chicks

- Kentucky, USA -

~ Update: August 1, 2023

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, 21-years-old PRINCE ZAYMIER SSENTEZA-WOODSON (pictured) made an Alford plea to one count of animal cruelty.

A second count of animal cruelty was dismissed.

According to FOX 56, SSENTEZA-WOODSON was sentenced to time served totaling ninety-four (94) days from the date the charges were filed.

Court documents obtained by Voice For Us show that Jefferson County District Court Judge Tanisha A. Hickerson handed down a “Conditional Discharge for a period of 271 days CD 2 years from the date of the Judgement.”

While he serves his conditional discharge SSENTEZA-WOODSON cannot have any contact with animals, cannot commit any new offences, and must sign up with Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) Animal Cruelty Registry within fourteen (14) days of the judgement.

The charges against SSENTEZA-WOODSON were filed back in April after the Louisville Metro Police Department received reports that SSENTEZA-WOODSON, who at the time was a student at the University of Louisville, had posted videos on social media showing him cooking a live chick in an air fryer and hanging another one by the tiny neck.

Update on Voice For Us Facebook page

~ Update: April 26, 2023

The Louisville Metro Police Department identified 21-years-old PRINCE ZAYMIER SSENTEZA-WOODSON (pictured) as the University of Louisville student who filmed himself committing vile acts of animal cruelty on defenseless baby chicks and then posted the sickening videos on social media.

After police reached out to social media for assistance in locating SSENTEZA-WOODSON, he turned himself in.

In a Facebook post police said that SSENTEZA-WOODSON had a warrant for his arrest for Cruelty to Animals 2nd Degree and explained: “This charge is technically only a Class A misdemeanor however, the details of this case are alarming.”

SSENTEZA-WOODSON turned himself in to the 7th Division and was transported to the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections for booking.

According to online records, SSENTEZA-WOODSON was booked on the early evening of Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Update on Voice For Us Facebook page

~ Original story:

A student at the University of Louisville filmed himself committing acts of animal cruelty and then posted the sickening videos on social media.

In a recorded Instagram story, the evil student can be seen sprinkling seasoning on a live baby chicken inside an air-fryer. In other disturbing videos, a chick appears to be dead inside the air fryer, a baby chicken hanging dead from a ceiling, and a baby chick in a microwave.

WDRB blurred the videos due to their graphic nature and published a screenshot of a text posted by the student claiming the chicks were “robotic” and “programmed”.

WDRB reports that a UofL student said she called police after seeing the gruesome videos.

On Twitter, the university shared that it was aware of the incident and confirmed that the social media accounts belong to a current student.

Part of the tweet reads: “After hearing about this off-campus incident , the UofL Police Department (ULPD), Dean of Students Office and other departments immediately shared information to determine what, if any, actions could be taken. In addition, the university has forwarded al information to the Louisville Metro Police Department, which is investigating the incident with support from ULPD.”

The school, however, hasn't directly said which videos the investigation is focused on.

Sarah Devers, a UofL student, rightfully told WDRB: “I would like to see him not be a student anymore, I don't have a student like that and getting a degree at the University of Louisville is anyway correct.”

According to Courier Journal, after the videos, “the person put a text saying ‘I'm actually honored that y'all believe it's real I put a lot of work into designing them’.”

As reported by WDRB, “In Kentucky, animal cruelty is generally a misdemeanor. In order to be considered a crime, the mistreatment must be cruel or result in the animal's injury.”

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.

Story on Voice For Us Facebook page

#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #kentucky #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #chicks #baby #university #louisville #student #peta