BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
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CLAREMONT — Two Claremont residents who abandoned 14 cats in a single carrier last year pleaded guilty on Monday to animal cruelty.
Dwaine Lord, 64, and Crystal Lamonda, 42, were sentenced in Claremont Circuit Court each to 140 days at the Sullivan County House of Corrections, suspended upon good behavior for three years, after pleading guilty to a single count of cruelty to animals. Judge John Yazinski also ordered the two to pay $2,200 in restitution to the Sullivan County Humane Society to reimburse for veterinary bills.
Although the pair was initially charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty at their Jan. 10 arraignment, prosecutors struck a deal to wrap the charges into a single charge that “encompasses the case.”
“Although we are disappointed with such a lenient sentence, we thank the Claremont Police and the Claremont Prosecutor for their attention to this matter,” Sullivan County Humane Society Director Cheryl Bromley said in a press release.
On Nov. 12, 2017, Claremont Police received a report of several abandoned cats kept outside in a carrier. Officers contacted the Sullivan County Humane Society shortly after to arrange care for the animals.
“The cats were outside and the health and welfare of the cats was very concerning for the officers,” Claremont police said of the initial reports.
Bromley offered the following account of the scene in a late-November: Sullivan County Humane Society volunteers arrived on-scene to find a single crate meant for a medium-sized dog containing the 14 cats, many of which were severely malnourished and dehydrated.
Unseasonably cold temperatures and the wind-chill brought overnight temperatures throughout the weekend into the low-teens, and multiple cats showed symptoms of hypothermia.
The confined quarters contributed to the death of one cat by the time police and volunteers arrived. The deceased animal –named Justice by volunteers — was estimated to be between two and four years old and the autopsy would reveal that it was covered in scratches and bruises from being trampled, but the suspected cause of death is hypothermia and dehydration.
Another cat, who was found motionless at the time of the rescue, was given the name Miracle after surviving the ordeal. However, the cat was later euthanized after showing signs of neurological damage from hypothermia and dehydration.
Volunteers took in the 12 living cats for rehabilitation following the ordeal. The names of the remaining cats are: Maren, Jennifer, Rhett, Tae, Maddie, Kiiara, Mandy, Justin, Keith, Lee, Lauren, and Carrie.
Although several of the surviving cats have been adopted, many of the animals are still available for adoption at the Sullivan County Humane Society.
Under RSA 644:8, Cruelty to Animals charges are classified as Class A misdemeanors. The charges state that Lord and Lamonda deprived the animals in question that were within their possession or custody with necessary care sustenance or shelter.
New Hampshire statutes give law enforcement the authority to confiscate the pets of anyone charged with cruelty to animals, and upon the conviction, may charge the costs of boarding and treating the animal to the convicted.
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