Long Beach Animal Rescue Founder Released On Bail, Forgoes Custody Of Animals
Hearts for Hounds founder Bonnie Sheehan and associate Pamela A. King-McCracken appeared in court Tuesday on charges of animal cruelty. The women have agreed to hand over custody of all animals and have posted bail.
The women posted $100,000 bail today; Cerritos Patch, says Sheehan posted bond last night via a $10,000 donation by an anonymous supporter. King-McCracken was released after securing her bail with a deed to property.
The Long Beach-based nonprofit shelter had recently relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, and the women were en route to the new space when they were pulled over in Tennessee on January 17 by the West Tennessee Drug Task Force during a traffic stop in Fayette County. Crammed inside a U-haul truck and a minivan were 140 dogs and one cat. The conditions were described as "deplorable" by various new sources. Four or five animals were squeezed into makeshift animal carriers without food and water, and some dogs were running free within the non-ventilated truck. Dist. Atty. Gen. Mike Dunavant told the Times that one dog was found dead. Both women were arrested.
Initial reports after the arrest said Sheehan, 55, and King-McCracken, 59, were charged with 128 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and that additional charges were expected, including transporting animals under inhumane conditions. Recent reports say the pair face one count each of aggravated animal cruelty, which is punishable by up to one to two years in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The woman agreed to hand over custody of all Hearts for Hounds animals to Fayette County Animal Services, reports CBS LA. Long Beach Animal Care Services seized 17 dogs from Hearts for Hounds' Long Beach location on Monday, according to Press-Telegram. A city news release said the dogs "will be held for safekeeping until the owners come forward and provide documentation of ownership, and demonstrate the ability to care for the animals properly."
Their arraignment has been postponed to allow further investigation as to whether or not other persons were involved in the transportation of the animals, such as who might have helped the women pack the animals in Long Beach. Patch reports that Long Beach Animal Control was aware of the U-haul and helped load the crates. The city's officer reportedly "insisted that Sheehan take all of the dogs in her move to Virginia, not just the 60 she'd planned." Unrelated to the Hearts for Hounds case, the city's acting animal control director was replaced on Friday.
The women are due back in court February 21.
