A Half Moon Bay ranch owner already facing trial for misdemeanor animal cruelty could be hit with more charges based on new information forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.
A video of an abused goat was sent to prosecutors Wednesday and a report on a number of other animals from Janet Wherry’s property will arrive Monday, said Peninsula Humane Society Investigator Debi DeNardi.
Either or both new batches of evidence could add more charges to Wherry’s case. DeNardi hopes for at least two counts of felony animal cruelty but said she unsuccessfully pushed for the more severe charge on Wherry’s current case.
The initial case was deemed a misdemeanor because it involved one animal and appeared to be significant neglect rather than intentional harm, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Wherry could receive up to one year in jail on the single misdemeanor charge stemming from a sheep allegedly neglected while in her care. She is scheduled for jury trial Nov. 6 and is out of custody on her own recognizance.
A felony charge, or more counts, could bring prison time and stiffer fines. Prosecutors and DeNardi maintained since Wherry’s arrest that horses, goats and a pig at her ranch were also mistreated but charges could not be filed without all the evidence.
Complicated cases like Wherry’s usually take about 60 days to get ready, DeNardi said.
The District Attorney’s Office will review DeNardi’s reports before deciding how to proceed, Wagstaffe said.
PHS investigated Wherry after receiving an anonymous complaint about the conditions of her Triple Springs Ranch. PHS reported finding an ill sheep with maggot-filled wounds. Horses on Wherry’s property also allegedly wallowed in their own waste while stalled during winter months and all the animals were malnourished.
On July 27, PHS seized two horses, one pony, three goats, four sheep and one pig. All but one goat was placed in foster care. Wherry does not have a current stable permit to run a commercial boarding facility.
“She doesn’t provide basic care or things you’d do for your cat or dog. These animals have gone weeks without proper food, sometimes days without food at all,” DeNardi said.
In 1994, she faced similar neglect charges for failing to properly fence horses from State Route 92 and not giving animals proper food and shelter.
A civil compromise settled the case in January 1995 with Wherry ordered to comply with codes. |