PLEASANT HOPE, Mo., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- A couple in Pleasant Hope, Mo., is facing multiple felony charges of animal abuse for operating an alleged puppy mill, authorities say.
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader said Wednesday that Carold H. Cruse, 48, and his wife, Rebecca, 49, were charged Tuesday with three felony counts of animal abuse in their highly-publicized case.
The couple was arrested after authorities searched a Pleasant Hope kennel operated by the couple on Feb. 13, and allegedly seized 93 Yorkshire terriers living in deplorable conditions.
Tuesday's charges were for the treatment of three of the dogs. Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Kristen Tuohy said the Cruses will likely face additional animal abuse charges for the other dogs found at the kennel.
"The inattention to the daily cleaning, feeding and watering and the lack of veterinary care contributed to the severe conditions the animals were forced to live in," Greene County Sheriff's Detective Ronald Killingsworth wrote in a probable cause statement.
The News-Leader said the three dogs at the focus of the felony charges were all euthanized following the Feb. 13 search.
