[IMC-Editorial] Victory for farmed animals in Pennsylvania!

[Oohmahneefarm at aol.com]

 Animal abuser convicted !

For immediate release:
July 10, 2003

Contact: Cayce Mell (724) 755-2420

On March 20, 2000, OohMahNee rescuers accompanied several Pennsylvania law 
enforcement agencies to serve a search warrant at a severely neglected farm. 
Upon arrival, investigators learned that this case was much more than severe 
neglect as they discovered the remains of hundreds of dead animals littering the 
property, and hundreds of starving animals roaming the farm. Inside the owner's 
home OohMahNee investigators filmed the deplorable conditions where thirty 
dogs and fifteen sheep and goats were forced to live among the rotting bodies of 
other dead animals and debris. The floor of the house was covered with fecal 
matter that was several feet deep in certain areas. Rescue organizations 
immediately began to remove the surviving animals and take them to area shelters. 
OohMahNee assumed custody of the surviving farmed animals and relocated 249 
sheep, goats, chickens, and geese to the sanctuary.
 Over the next year the surviving animals were nurtured back to health and 
adopted out to lifelong loving homes across the nation. The owner was charged 
with twelve counts of animal cruelty but the case was granted a continuance. 
Despite the fact that this instance of farmed animal hoarding is the worst case 
in the nation to date, it has taken three years to arrive at a conviction.
 "This case is the worst case of animal hoarding in the country," states 
Kathy Hecker, humane officer of Westmoreland County, "many animals suffered and 
died under the owner's care and she needs to be convicted of that abuse and 
neglect."
 The case was heard yesterday by District Justice Mark Bilik who watched the 
videotape of the investigation, and listened to compelling testimony from 
several veterinarians, rescuers, and Humane Society Police Officers before 
arriving at his verdict. Nancy Cline was convicted of eleven out of twelve counts of 
animal cruelty, mandated to pay restitution to all involved animal shelters, 
and forced to forfeit custody of one dog remaining under her guardianship. 
Sentencing is scheduled for August 19, 2003 where the District Attorney will 
request imposition of a 90 day jail sentence.
 "We are so grateful for this conviction, so many lives were spent in misery 
because of this woman's actions and the animals deserve this victory," says 
Cayce Mell Co-director of OohMahNee, "let this be a message to other animal 
collectors that even if it takes time, justice will prevail and cruelty to animals 
will not go unpunished."

*Additional media coverage: 
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/westmoreland/s_143987.html
*Video footage of the investigation at the Cline Farm is available upon 
request as well as interviews on site at OohMahNee with the investigators* 

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