BRATTLEBORO — Six dogs are now being cared for at the Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) after they were seized from a property in Townshend last month.
Vermont State Police said the dogs were taken from a home on Simpson Brook Road on Feb. 18, after a trooper responded to a report of suspected animal abuse.
State police said found the dogs, as well as one sheep, in an outdoor pen exposed to the elements. They also saw signs that the animals had not been fed in some time.
State police were aided by a licensed veterinarian, who examined all six dogs prior to removing them from the property, as is required by state statute.
Also assisting in the seizure were the town constable, WCHS Executive Director Annie Guion, and three volunteers.
According to state police, it was the veterinarian's opinion that with extremely cold weather expected, all six animals were in imminent danger.
JesseLynn Viemeister Gentlewolf, 65, and Kevin Wright, 48, of Townshend and Brattleboro, and Miriabi J. Grzywacz, 24, of Brattleboro, are all facing a charge of cruelty to animals.
In December 2005, Gentlewolf had 33 dogs and five cats seized after they were found unattended at her home. She was charged with six counts of animal cruelty, but the charges were eventually dropped after she was found to be incompetent to stand trial.
The state is proceeding with a civil forfeiture case against the property owner and the owners of the dogs. The civil forfeiture (CF) statute is designed to keep animals out of legal limbo by determining ownership within 21 days of seizure.
At a hearing on March 10, the judge gave the dog owners the choice of having more time to prepare their case, and they chose that option. No new hearing date has been set.
While the dogs are being held as evidence in the state's case, their care and feeding falls to WCHS. Two of the dogs suffer from a seizure disorder, which shelter staff cannot treat at this time, as ownership has not been determined.
Despite this, WCHS staff say that all the dogs are doing well.