FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Doll Stanley, 662-809-4483, doll@idausa.org

In Defense of Animals Applauds Justice Court Ruling
Montgomery County Couple Sentenced for Starvation of Dogs

Montgomery County, Miss. – In Defense of Animals, “IDA” an international non-profit animal advocacy, applauds the June 13, 2012 ruling of Montgomery County Justice Court Judge, Larry Bamberg in a case of the egregious neglect of three dogs. Judge Bamberg fined Shanta Sutton and Lavelle Mays, of 1123 Minerva Road, Kilmichael, MS $1,000 each, placed them on probation, and suspended a three month jail term to be imposed if the fines are not paid.

The couple entered a plea of guilty, but Judge Bamberg wanted the details of the case before sentencing them. After viewing just five photos produced by IDA Mid-South Regional Director of Investigations, Doll Stanley, the affiant in the case, Judge Bamberg said he had seen enough and imposed a maximum sentence.

On May 10, 2012 IDA received a report that three starving dogs were tethered at the residence of Sutton and Mays. Montgomery County Deputy, Jodi Windham, accompanied Stanley to the reported residence and confirmed and documented the extreme starvation of the dogs. Judge Bamberg issued a seizure order for the dogs and Deputy Bryan Long joined Windham and Stanley in the rescue of the dogs. The dogs were placed in the custody of IDA-Hope Animal Sanctuary, established for the care of animals rescued from abuse.

“The dogs have fully recovered. Even Brownie, who was extremely defensive when rescued, has given us his trust. I was truly proud of Judge Bamberg for his ruling. When he admonished Mays for his treatment of the dogs he told him he certainly hoped he did better by his children. I was relieved that Judge Bamberg soundly understood that innocent animals and people are equally imperiled by negligent and cruel people,” commented Stanley.

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