Justice has Been Served!

A 23-year old woman who left her dogs in a small crate, without food or water, on her patio in direct sun in July 2015, has plead guilty to a felony charge today to animal neglect charges in accordance with California Penal Code 597a in Fresno County Superior Court.Jovohanna Morris (DOB: 7-27-1992) faces up to three (3) years in Fresno County Jail when she is sentenced on July 27, 2016, by Honorable Judge Brian Alvarez. Charges were brought against Ms. Morris as a result of an animal neglect investigation by the Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CCSPCA).In July 2015, we received a call about several dogs barking, whimpering, and one possibly not moving, without shade or water on a hot patio at an apartment complex. When one of our Humane Officers arrived on scene, it was exactly as the reporting party stated – 2 dogs in a small crated, placed in direct sun, with no food or water, and one looked dead. In the apartment, we found one dog inside, happy and healthy, and 3 dogs outside on the patio – 2 in the small crate and one hiding under some trash to keep cool. One of the dogs in the crate was deceased and the other barely alive. The officer immediately brought all dogs inside, gave them water, and placed the heat-stressed dog under some cool, running water. As soon as the dog was stable, the officer brought all dogs to the CCSPCA to be examined by our shelter veterinarian. Other than being severely dehydrated, all dogs were okay. All dogs have now found new loving, forever homes.We are grateful to the District Attorney's office and their Animal Cruelty Unit for their diligence and advocacy on behalf of the neglected and abused animals in our community.