CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA leadership is calling for tougher laws, and better judicial enforcement, in the wake of the no jail time plea deal in Greene County for three men whose 81 dogs were seized in June of last year from a Free Union puppy mill.
A number of animal rescue organizations went to the aid of Greene County Animal Control who raided Shady Lane Farm, finding adult dogs and puppies inside boxes filled with waste and old, rancid food. All the dogs were transported to safe places in the days that followed. 68-year-old Nathan Yoder, 33-year-old Luke Yoder, and 40-year-old Maynard Swarey were all subsequently charged with one felony and 24 misdemeanor animal abuse and neglect counts.
“Obviously we’re all very disappointed,” said CASPCA Executive Director Libby Jones to Cville Right Now. “I’ve already had so many members of our community, and other communities and neighbors reaching out and expressing their disappointment and lack of understanding why this plea deal was even done.”…