05-02-03: Animal abuse trial delayed

05-02-03: Animal abuse trial delayed

By SHELLEY GRIESHOP
The Daily Standard

    A trial set for Monday has been vacated in a case against a Mendon woman accused of abandoning 13 animals in a mobile home in March.
    Bridget Barker, 20, 118 Dutton St., was charged with cruelty to animals by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and recently retained Celina attorney James Tesno to represent her.
    A pretrial hearing is now set for May 29.
    Barker appeared in Celina Municipal Court on March 28 and pleaded innocent to the charge. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
    At the hearing, Barker said her car broke down and she was unable to return home to care for the animals. She also stated in court that not all the animals belonged to her.
    Sheriff's Lt. Matt Grunden and Mercer County Dog Warden Tom Powell on March 18 discovered 10 dogs, two cats and a ferret in and outside a mobile home leased by Barker.
    Authorities believe Barker abandoned the animals for at least a week without providing food or water. Electricity was reportedly disconnected at the home several days before the animals were found.
    The officials were tipped off about the animals by neighbors, some of whom were feeding several outside dogs. The sheriff's report said the majority of the animals had signs of malnutrition; one of the dogs, a 6-month-old boxer mix, was euthanized March 19 due to injuries and a serious case of mange.
    The animals are currently being cared for at the county dog pound and by the Mercer County Protection League.
    Barker also faces reimbursement in excess of $500 to the dog pound and the protection league for medical care and food given the animals.

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