The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Caroline’s Kids animal cruelty trial continues
Several witnesses took the stand in the Caroline’s Kids animal cruelty trial in Painesville Municipal Court.
Several more witnesses took the stand in the Caroline’s Kids animal cruelty trial on Aug. 3 in Painesville Municipal Court.
One witness is a volunteer at both Caroline’s Kids Pet Rescue and the Lake Humane Society.
Tony Fiorello, who was subpoenaed by defense attorneys, said he maintains a neutral stance in the case.
However, Fiorello testified about unsatisfactory conditions that he witnessed at the Lake Humane Society a couple of months ago.
“As soon as you walk in (the Lake Humane Society Annex Building) there are cages, like open-wall cages that are stacked too high on each other and are covered by bed sheets,” he said. “In many cases, the cats pull the bed sheets into the cages. As you go in, you just hear this desperate cry in unison. It’s pretty overwhelming, because I’m not used to that at the other shelters that I volunteer at.”
Fiorello adds that there are also caged cats with ringworm stacked on cages of healthy cats.
Although Fiorello reported these findings to two employees, Special Prosecutor J. Jeffrey Holland asked why he failed to share his concerns with Lake Humane Society Director Lee Nesler, whom he has spoken to on multiple occasions by phone.
Humane Agent Leanne Pike of the Lake Humane Society denied observing any caged cats with ringworm stacked on cages of healthy cats.
In fact, Pike added that the cats seized from Caroline’s Kids markedly improved since being in the humane society’s care.
Photos were presented showing visual changes of the cats that were seized.
Lake Humane Society seized 161 cats from the shelter Nov. 28 after receiving a complaint about the conditions of multiple animals. One hundred animals were allowed to remain after the raid.
As a result, four employees of Caroline’s Kids, a private no-kill Concord Township cat animal shelter, went on trial Aug. 2 on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
Caroline’s Kids Pet Rescue owners Tom Brown, 78; and Judie Brown , 70; and workers Ellen Distler, 65, of Chagrin Falls; and Virginia Wolford-Lee, 65, of Mentor, are each charged with 24 counts.
Each count is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $750 fine. Eight jurors will decide the defendants’ fates.
Holland asked witness Deborah Doyle, who is a registered veterinarian technician for the Lake Humane Society, to describe the condition of the cats at Caroline’s Kids during the November 2016 investigation.
Doyle said many of the cats had severely matted fur, emaciated skin and signs of dental and upper respiratory disease.
She said Distler expressed that she felt overwhelmed because the shelter was understaffed and it was a lot to handle.
Holland presented a video to court that confirmed that conversation.
On the other hand, the defense argued that part of Caroline’s Kids mission is to take in cats regardless of age or sickness.
Testimony in the case is expected to continue Aug. 4.
Meanwhile, the Browns’ $5 million civil suit against the Humane Society remains pending in federal court.