Heidi Sendall

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Friday, December 17, 2010

By CHARLES BOOTHE – Staff Writer Franklin News Post

A Ferrum woman will be on probation for two years after pleading guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty charges in General District Court Wednesday.

Heidi Ann Sendall had been charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty, but 21 of those charges were dropped as a result of a plea agreement. 

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Nix told Judge George Jones that Sendall would plead guilty on five counts related to the care of five dogs and three counts related to livestock. 

Although she was sentenced to 12 months on each of the eight counts, all the jail time was suspended as long as she is of good behavior for two years. 

Sendall will be allowed to have two companion animals, a dog and a cat, and can petition the court in 12 months for permission to own livestock and additional companion animals. 

Sendall, who gave up her ownership of five dogs at a hearing in late September, will also pay $5,100 for the care and medical treatment of the livestock that was removed from her property. 

She had contested the seizure of the livestock. 

The dogs, four horses, two calves, a donkey and a pony were seized by Franklin County Animal Control in September. 

Sendall, 49, was initially charged with failing to provide adequate food and care for the farm animals, according to Capt. Marvin Woods with Franklin County Animal Control. 

When Deputy B.C. Webb with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office served the warrants, he observed several dogs, which he described as “extremely thin with their bones showing through their skin. At least one dog had an open wound or sore on its back,” according to a search warrant affidavit. 

With Webb’s observations, Woods was able to seize three Great Danes, a poodle and a mixed-breed dog at Sendall’s residence on Will Hill Road. The dogs were treated for malnourishment, wounds and skin conditions. 

Later, the horses, donkey, cows and pony were seized. All the animals have recovered. 

Animal cruelty is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.