- Virginia, USA -
Following a months-long investigation into the mistreatment of innocent animals at Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue in the Town of Round Hill, more than a hundred (100) animals were rescued by Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) and more than a dozen criminal charges have been filed against the organization’s staff.
A press release by the Loudoun County Government identified the individuals who are facing charges as 51-years-old KIMBERLY T. HALL (pictured – Via Linked In), 50-years-old NICOLE METZ, and 22-years-old ALEX HALL.
According to the release, in February 2023, authorities responded to a call for service at a home in Round Hill. Once on the scene, they noticed “a large number of animals living in deplorable conditions” so LCAS were alerted and an investigation was launched.
The inspection inside the residence led Humane Law Enforcement Officers to find forty-two (42) animals who “were housed in a manner that threatened their health and safety.”
As stated in the release, a search of the HALL’s residence, “which appeared to be one of the sites from which the animal rescue was being operated, found all of the home’s floors covered with feces and urine. Officers also found most of the animals were confined to crates, some of which were stacked on top of each other. Many of the animals needed veterinary care.”
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was also executed at METZ’s home, “which is located next door. Conditions in both locations were found to be unsanitary, hazardous and consistent with hoarding.”
On February 16 and February 17, 2023, a total of hundred and two (102) animals were removed and transferred to LCAS, including twenty-eight (28) cats, seventy (70) dogs, two (2) rabbits, and two (2) parakeets.
As a result of the investigation, KIMBERLY T. HALL, who served as the organization’s director of operations, was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and two counts of failure to acquire a certificate of veterinary inspection.
NICOLE METZ, who served as the executive director of the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue, which was formerly known as Paw & Hoof Animal Rescue, was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty, two counts of failure to acquire certificate of veterinary inspection, one count of allowing an animal with a contagious disease to roam, and one count of obstructing justice.
ALEX HALL, who was formerly the organization’s director of marketing, was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty.
The release further stated that: “In addition to charges of animal cruelty, Kimberly Hall and Metz are alleged to have brought animals into Virginia without the required documentation for the importation of the animals. The Humane Law Enforcement Officers’ investigation revealed text messages that indicate Hall, Metz and their associates brought a number of animals from out of state to shelters in Northern Virginia, including cats with contagious diseases and dogs that had attacked or killed other dogs, inaccurately claiming them to be strays found in the local community. These communications have prompted a search for the whereabouts of approximately 100 additional animals that were received by the rescue from various sources and are presently unknown. Some are presumed to be buried in the suspects’ yards based on their communications and the execution of additional search warrants by officers that substantiated this finding.”
On April 7, 2023, an initial civil hearing resulted in the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue being dissolved, and METZ being prohibited from serving as staff or a volunteer for any animal-related business or nonprofit for a period of ONLY one year.
On the morning of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, KIMBERY T. HALL and NICOLE METZ are scheduled to face charges in General District Court.
Chris Brosan, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement, said: “This case is particularly disturbing because the individuals involved are the very people who were entrusted by overwhelmed pet owners and rural shelters to look out for the welfare of animals. Our investigation shows that they knowingly kept the animals in filthy conditions and allowed their health to suffer, while continuing to acquire more animals.”
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