ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
120 CATS AND DOGS were too many for Valery Green to care for, the judge ruled. So now it's up to the Humane Society to find them new homes.
This custody case had tears, hugs, anger and jubilation, just like many others.
But kids weren't at stake.
Instead, Franklin County General District Judge George Jones had to decide Thursday whether or not breeder Valery Green is capable of caring for the small kingdom of dogs and cats that roam the property she rents near Ferrum.
After three hours of testimony - "We've had murder trials here that didn't last that long," an attorney quipped - Jones decided that she isn't.
Even Green admitted that the 120 animals she owns are too many.
"I let a hobby and a labor of love go too far," she said during her rambling and at times animated testimony.
Green said she wanted to sell most of the animals and continue to keep 15 to 20.
However, Jones turned all the cats and dogs over to the Humane Society and, using a new state law, ruled that Green no longer may own an animal unless she petitions the court.
Jones' verdict prompted tears of joy from members of the county Humane Society, some of whom have been caring for Green's animals for the past few weeks. The Humane Society and county animal control officers were authorized to secure Green's animals on her property Jan. 3 by Franklin County Circuit Judge B.A. Davis after allegations that Green wasn't taking care of them. A number of the animals were taken to veterinarians for treatment.
Animal control officers and Humane Society representatives told of feces-filled carriers with litters of puppies inside. They said the floor of Green's home was covered with feces and that many of the dogs were without food and water.
Green didn't show up for a hearing on animal care charges last month - she said she was ill and couldn't attend - and a certified humane investigator had concerns about the way her animals were being housed and fed.
Thursday's hearing was a civil matter. Green also has been arraigned on criminal charges of animal neglect.
The Humane Society contingent hugged and cheered outside the courtroom Thursday.
"We'll spend our last dime to care for these animals," said Mary Kaplan, the society's treasurer. "There's enough love in Franklin County to take care of them all."
The society already has spent plenty of dimes. Board President Donna Essig said the group has paid $5,000 in boarding fees for Green's animals. That figure could double in the next few weeks, because Green plans to appeal Tuesday's ruling. The Humane Society will be able to recoup some of its expenses through adoption fees.
Green called the taking of her animals a "conspiracy by the Humane Society.''
One of the people who testified on Green's behalf Thursday was Wanda Wyrick. Green, who has been in and out of the hospital with stomach problems and pneumonia, had asked her to help care for her animals while she was sick.
Wyrick said she had no doubt that Green loves her cats and dogs.
But, when asked if she knew Green was incapable of giving them proper care, Wyrick agreed.
At one point during Green's testimony, her extensive answers began to agitate Jones.
"Ms. Green, you have a tendency to go on and on," he said.
"I'm sorry, your honor, but this is an emotional issue," Green replied. "These are my children."
"That's just it," said Jones. "They're not your children. They're your dogs."
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS STAFF. Valery Green (left) confersby CNBwith her attorney, Rena Berry, outside the Franklin County
Courthouse before her case began Thursday. color.