PRAIRIE GROVE -- Animal League of Washington County has been awarded custody of 71 dogs seized from a residence in Lincoln and some of the animals will be ready for adoption in the upcoming weeks, according to Carmen Nelson, director of the non-profit organization.
Prairie Grove District Judge Graham Nations signed an order on July 10 to divest ownership of the dogs from Debbie Cain-Fitzhugh and transfer ownership and custody to the Animal League.
Animal League of Washington Couny is accepting donations to help pay expenses in caring for the 71 dogs seized from a residence in Lincoln. Online donations can be made through the League’s Facebook page or mailed to P.O. Box 4366, Fayetteville, AR 72702.
Cain-Fitzhugh, 62, is facing eight counts of felony animal cruelty charges and 62 counts of misdemeanor animal curelty charges after the Washington County Sheriff's Office seized the dogs and other animals from her property at 120 South Highway 45 on June 13.
Most of the dogs seized were Mini Pins and Yorkies, with a few larger dogs. Officers found dogs in cages in Cain-Fitzhugh's house and others in cages in a kennel behind the house. The dogs were living in their own feces and urine and many needed vet care.
Cain-Fitzhugh refused to relinquish her animals to the county and they were being held as evidence against her.
Nation's order states that Cain-Fitzhugh received written notice on June 15 that her animals had been seized. More than 15 days have passed and she still had not filed a petition to determine custody of the animals.
The court said the Animal League was an appropriate organization for the care, custody and disposition of all the seized animals.
Nelson said the Animal League has already spent more than $17,000 on the care of the animals and still has to spay or neuter the dogs and provide some dental care. In addition, a couple of the dogs need to have their eyes removed.
Some of the vet expenses have included vaccinations, full testing for any diseases, taking care of skin issues and flea, tick and heartworm preventative treatments. Two dogs have seen eye specialists, and a few are pregnant and required ultrasounds. Others needed x-rays.
Nelson said the Animal League is accepting applications to adopt the animals and will have meet and greet sessions for approved adoptions.
"These animals need to be taken care of," Nelson said.
Cain-Fitzhugh is set to be arraigned on the animal cruelty charges July 23 in the courtroom at Washington County Detention Center.
For more information about adopting the dogs, contact the League at 479-263-7058 or email [email protected].
General News on 07/18/2018