Ottumwa Police Charge Woman With Animal Cruelty
POSTED: 9:30 pm CDT March 29, 2011
UPDATED: 10:11 am CDT March 30, 2011
OTTUMWA, Iowa -- Ottumwa police said they have a shocking video that shows a local animal rights activist beating a dog with a club.
Investigators said what happened on the video is not only cruel but criminal.
"Fifteen times taking a club to an animal, nearly pulling its leg out of a socket, in my mind -- that's abuse," Ottumwa police Chief Jim Clark said.
Officers said 41-year-old Noelle Stanbridge faces one count of cruelty to animals.
"Unfortunately, with our state laws, if you beat your own dog and it does not suffer serious injuries, it's just a simple misdemeanor," Clark said. "It appeared that she was going beyond disciplining the animals and actually abusing them."
Detectives said a concerned resident videotaped the incident.
"It appears she was disciplining the dog for digging in the backyard," Clark said. "I think it's, frankly, pretty hypocritical of her to turn around and treat the animals like you see on this video."
Clark said Stanbridge identifies herself as an animal rights activist and is very critical of his department's policy on stray dogs.
"We put them down after seven days, which is very common around the state. And yet, you can see for yourself on the video how she treats her animals," Clark said.
Stanbridge refused to comment about the video or her arrest.
Officers accompanied by a licensed veterinarian served a search warrant at her home Tuesday afternoon and discovered 10 dogs inside.
Investigators said none of them showed obvious signs of injury and will be allowed to stay for now.
Stanbridge will appear in court Wednesday morning and if convicted, she could face a $500 fine.
The case is far from complete. Investigators expect more charges to be filed and a judge will decide whether the 10 dogs in her home should remain there.
Video at: http://www.kcci.com/r/27365120/detail.html
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