Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 3, 1993 TAG: 9312030221
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
Ann Wallenborne faces neglect charges for failing to provide food, water and medical care for the animals, said Joe Kuster, Bedford County assistant commonwealth's attorney. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday. If found guilty, Wallenborne could be fined $250.
Vincent Brads, animal control officer, said Wallenborne had good intentions for the animals she adopted. "She's doing it through an act of love," he said. "But how does one person care for 73 dogs?"
Despite her intentions, Wallenborne has been charged before with cruelty to animals, owning unvaccinated and unlicensed dogs and allowing a diseased dog off her property, Brads said.
The condition of her animals and yard has been monitored by Brads for several years. Last spring, he warned her to vaccinate the dogs for rabies and listed 12 improvements needed for the property to be safe and healthy for the dogs.
"The conditions hadn't improved enough to where it's satisfactory," he said. "So we had to take the animals."
Because the Bedford County Animal Shelter couldn't hold all Wallenborne's animals, about 20 dogs were transported to the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Humane educator Barbara Jones said they were some of the worst-looking animals she had ever seen. "A lot are old, have no teeth and are blind," she said. "They haven't had much contact with people, almost to the point of being wild."
A judge will decide next week what to do with the animals.
Bill Rolfe, Bedford County administrator, said this was the latest in a string of incidents involving Wallenborne and her animals. "This lady does this all the time," he said. "We have to go clean her out every couple of years."
Wallenborne could not be reached for comment.
by CNB