From Helping to Hoarding to Hurting: When the Acts of "Good Samaritans" Become Felony Animal Cruelty
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: discovered ninety-two cats-provided with less than one square foot of space each-living inside.9 Each cat was examined and treated by a veterinarian who summarized the condition of the cats as follows: Most cats were covered in feces and suffered urine scald.10 Many were malnourished, emaciated, and had ear mites and fleas.11 Cats were found ill with upper respiratory virus and neurological problems.12 There were cats that had deformed limbs or were missing portions of their limbs.13 Some cats were "either blind, partially blind in one or both eyes[, or] were missing eyes."14 The attending veterinarian determined that many of the cats' illnesses resulted from long-term neglect.15 At Youngblood's trial, the prosecution showed a videotape of the conditions of the cats and the trailer in which they were kept to a jury 16 that convicted Youngblood of felony animal cruelty.17 In her defense, Youngblood maintained that she was trying to save the homeless cats' lives, and that the "messy conditions" inside the trailer resulted from the removal by animal control.18 Youngblood also asserted a defense of necessity, 19 and she attacked the trial court's interpretation of the animal cruelty statute and consequent error instructing the jury.20 The California Court of Appeal rejected Youngblood's claims, upheld her conviction, and sentenced her to ninety-two days in jail, five years of formal probation, and a prohibition from possessing or caring for any animals, except one specific cat named Holly Angel.21 Youngblood was also ordered to pay restitution as part of her sentence.22 Placer County officials, however, are not likely to ever recover the $132,741 in costs they 9 Id.
Author: Lisa Avery
Institution: Valparaiso University
Language: English
Topic: Animal Law and Welfare
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2143820710