By the Gazette-Times | Posted: Friday, October 26, 2007 12:00 am
The woman charged with animal neglect and abuse in connection with an illegal puppy mill in North Albany will go to trial.
Following a hearing in Benton County Circuit Court on Thursday, Carol Brower is scheduled to face a six-person jury starting Jan. 6, 2008. The trial is estimated to last a week.
Benton County sheriff's deputies and animal control officers went to Brower's property on April 30 and seized 86 dogs that were living in deplorable conditions. Six of the dogs subsequently gave birth, bringing the total needing new homes to 103.
Brower faces 88 counts of second-degree animal neglect and 13 counts of second-degree animal abuse.
All of the dogs survived and have been living in foster homes, according to Kerry Mullin, executive director of Heartland Humane Society.
Although Mullin said many of the foster families would like to adopt the dogs, that can't happen until the criminal case is resolved.
A hearing in September set for a plea and sentencing was postponed when Brower's first attorney withdrew from the case, saying he and his client had reached an impasse regarding her defense.