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MILES MATTHEW BERRY sentenced in connection with theft of a rescue puppy who was later euthanized

- California, USA -


On the early morning of Thursday, June 9, 2022, 34-years-old MILES MATTHEW BERRY (pictured), burglarized Paw Works, an animal rescue shelter in Camarillo. BERRY stole a 3-year-old German Shepherd puppy named Pretty Girl.

 

According to a press release by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, BERRY “was seen on surveillance video hitting Pretty Girl as she resisted being taken from her individual kennel.”

 

At the time of the incident, Paw Works reached out to the public for assistance in hopes of finding the individual who had stolen Pretty Girl and released the video of the episode. Footage showed BERRY trying to take a dog who fought him off, and then moving to Pretty Girl’s kennel. In the devasting video, Pretty Girl can be seen fighting BERRY but he hits her twice with his flashlight.

 

Hours later, a passerby found Pretty Girl running between cars on U.S. Highway 101, gravely injured. The Good Samaritan took Pretty Girl to the Paw Works Veterinary Hospital. Sadly, due to the gravity of the injuries that Pretty Girl sustained, the sweet angel was euthanized.

 

A few months later, on or about September 4, 2022, Paw Works was again burglarized. On that occasion no animals were taken.

 

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and BERRY was identified as the suspect connected to the crimes. BERRY was arrested on September 28, 2022, on four felony violations including two separate second-degree burglaries, grand theft, and animal cruelty.

 

Two days after his arrest, BERRY appeared for arraignment in the Ventura County Superior Court.

 

On November 9, 2023, BERRY pled guilty to felony commercial burglary over $950 and felony cruelty to an animal. “He also admitted to the special allegation that the crime involved great violence”, stated a release by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

 

On December 13, 2023, BERRY, of Newbury Park, was sentenced to only “180 days in Ventura County Jail and 24 months of formal probation”, announced the Ventura County District Attorney Office. As part of his probation terms, BERRY “is prohibited from owning any animals.”

BERRY will begin serving his jail sentence on December 28, 2023.

 

A restitution hearing is also scheduled for January 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Ventura County Superior Court.

 

Deputy District Attorney Nadia Aboujawdah, who prosecuted the case said: “The tragic loss of Pretty Girl has left a hole in the hearts of many at Paw Works and within the surrounding community. I am pleased to see the defendant is being held accountable for his actions, and hopeful that this conviction brings some peace and closure to those who loved and cared so deeply for Pretty Girl. We will strive to continue protecting our local businesses, while sending the message that the mistreatment of innocent animals in this community will not be tolerated.”

 

It did NOT bring me any peace or closure!

Paw Works was supposed to be Pretty Girl’s second chance in life and BERRY took it upon himself to take that opportunity away from her! This FILTH will only spend 180 days in jail, and as an additional compassionate gesture toward him he will not be spending Christmas behind bars because he is allowed to start his sentence on December 28!

 

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.

 

 

BERRY’s mugshot shared from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.


Additional Sources:






 
 
 

STACEY ELIZABETH KELLNER, ACO and owner of an animal rescue, facing animal cruelty charges

- Pennsylvania, USA -


53-years old STACEY ELIZABETH KELLNER (pictured), animal control officer and owner of Pibbles Paws Safe Haven - Dog Rescue, is facing animal cruelty charges.

Additionally, the Department of Agriculture revoked the “rescue’s” license meaning that KELLNER can no longer receive or transfer dogs.


69 NEWS reports that back in 2019, the news agency spoke with KELLNER regarding the issue of “stray” dogs, whom I prefer to refer to as homeless.

According to 69 NEWS, the Pennsylvania SPCA now says that KELLNER is the issue.


As reported by 69 NEWS, since 2019, a total of six Northampton County municipalities contracted KELLNER as their Animal Control Officer. KELLNER does not have the authority to make arrests, but can enforce certain laws and pick up “strays”.


In December 2020, Lower Nazareth Township advised through a press release that they were pleased to announce that Pibbles Paws Safe Haven would be serving as their Animal Control Officer. A recent Facebook post, however, advised that “effective immediately, the participating municipalities of the Nazareth Area Council of Governments have suspended the Animal Control Officer contract with Pibbles Paws Safe Haven. This includes Lower Nazareth Township.”


The post goes on to say: “The allegations put forth against this organization do not align with the humane treatment of animals that the Lower Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors or the Nazareth Area Council of Governments expect to see from an Animal Control Officer.”

Court records show that KELLNER is facing one misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals and two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing severe bodily injury or death.


69 NEWS further reports that KELLNER’s facility failed multiple inspections and “October records show up to 38 dogs were found on site, some in very poor health with no vet records, kept in unsanitary, dangerous conditions, and without certified rabies vaccination records or bills of sale.”


If convicted, KELLNER could be barred from owning or caring for animals for only ten years.


According to 69 NEWS, KELLNER “still works with multiple municipalities.”


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.





 
 
 

AMY MARIE SMITH, KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, and JESSICA RENAE WAGNER, animal rescue staff, face charges

Updated: Nov 23, 2023

- Kentucky, USA -


Always Faithful Animal Rescue, an Elizabethtown-based nonprofit rescue, has been charged with ninety-one (91) counts of second-degree animal cruelty, thirty-one (31) counts of not licensing dogs with the county, and thirty-four (34) counts of animals not being vaccinated against rabies.


Following complaints made about the rescue, Hardin County Animal Care and Control officer Chris Silas responded to the facility on Hawkins Drive, on July 22, 2023.


Mike McNutt, Animal Care & Control Director, told WAVE the animals “were living in neglect and just wasn’t up to code.” He added: “You know it needs to be clean, food and water and clean cages.”


Mr. McNutt also explained to The New-Enterprise: “The animals were living in a neglectful situation, not up to code, but no life-threatening issues. There was no reason for us to go in and seize the animals. We are working with the county attorney to get everything up to code.”


Three people associated with the rescue are now facing charges: 46-years-old AMY MARIE SMITH (pictured), 55-years-old KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, and 28-years-old JESSICA RENAE WAGNER (also pictured).


According to Always Faithful Animal Rescue’s website, AMY SMITH is listed as the president and WAGNER as adopter, volunteer, and foster parent.


AMY MARIE SMITH spoke with The News-Enterprise and said that the charges are unfounded and will be dropped. She told the news agency that she offered to show ACO Silas the animals’ vaccination records and claimed “He didn’t check. That’s the thing. He never checked for vaccinations. He just said you can bring them to court. The thing is he never asked me. … So he’s charging me with something he never checked.” SMITH went on to say that ACO Silas is “out to get us” and has attacked the rescue “online for years”.


With regard to her title as president of the rescue, she said: “anyone can write that. The thing is he’s charging me, and I’m not even on board. I have nothing to do with the rescue. I just work here.”


According to The News-Enterprise, SMITH did not allow the news agency to enter the facility “which she said acts solely as a rescue and houses aggressive dogs.”


Mr. McNutt said the animals remain in the care of Always Faithful Animal Rescue.


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.






 
 
 

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