Breeder states “I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve done”
UPDATE: May 1st--Breeder Darlene Reno gets 30 days in jail and three years probation after pleading no contest to animal cruelty and neglect. For the full story, including pictures of the dogs siezed from Reno in March,
Click here.
Original storyFollowing up on a complaint of breeding dogs seen with no food or water, and dead dogs on the premises, a humane investigator visited Darlene Reno at her home in Dexter, Wisconsin last week. Reno voluntarily surrendered her dogs to the
South Wood County Humane Society. Reports from officials include information that the dogs were being housed in very small enclosures—some in kennels designed for cats. Most of the dogs are small breeds reportedly suffering from dental and skin problems, and lack of grooming. One dog out of the 84 was euthanized due to a severe case of demodectic mange. No charges have been pressed yet; authorities said they must first complete their investigation and will then make a decision.
Though Reno surrendered the dogs voluntarily, an article in the
Wausau Daily Herald stated: “Reno said she relinquished the dogs because she didn't want to force the county to request a search warrant. ‘They would just say I was not cooperating,’ she said in a phone interview. ‘I'm not ashamed of nothing I've done.’”
Similar complaints were filed in 2005 and 2006, but Reno reportedly “strongly resisted investigations in the past and will not cooperate with law enforcement."
For the full story from the
Wausau Daily Herald,
click here.
You can helpSouth Wood County is seeking assistance from the community to help care for the 80+ seized dogs, including:
-Foster families
-Supplies
-Donations
To learn how you can help, visit the South Wood County Humane Society’s website:
http://www.swchs.com/Posted by Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends NetworkMain Photo: Sophie, not associated with the case, but is available for adoption from South Wood County Animal Shelter. To learn more about Sophie, Click here.