MONTGOMERY CO., Miss. (March 22, 2022) – In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization that operates Hope Animal Sanctuary and the Justice for Animals Campaign in Carroll County, was represented in Montgomery County Justice Court today having filed a criminal affidavit against Yolanda Honorable for refusing aid for her critically injured puppy. 

In Defense of Animals agreed to a plea deal that allows the organization to remove animals from the property, in addition to being allowed to inspect the property once a month for a year. Honorable will not be able to have animals for one year, and will be responsible for paying veterinary bills. 

The charges were remanded to the file for one year. If violations are found, she will be charged with this and any additional violations. 

In January 2022, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley was aiding in the search for Macy, a dog who fled her family’s home-fire when she spotted a dog matching her description lying in the yard of a close-by residence. Stanley pulled into the drive hoping to recover Macy, and realized that the dog was of a similar appearance but was not Macy. Stanley discovered that this dog was chained without shelter to the carport support. 

At that moment, an injured puppy wobbled around the rear of the residence. Stanley picked the puppy up and knocked on the residence door. A woman responded and said that the puppy had been struck by a vehicle. Stanley offered to take the puppy for veterinary care but the woman insisted that “they” would see to the puppy and get a doghouse for the chained dog. 

Stanley returned to the residence for a recheck and the dog in the carport had not been provided shelter, nor had the puppy been taken for veterinary care. With the aid of the Duck Hill Police Department, a seizure order was signed by Montgomery County Justice Court Judge Larry Bamber, a champion for the welfare of animals.

On January 20, Duck Hill Police Officer Orlando Bolden served the seizure order with Stanley’s assistance as agent of the court to remove the puppy. An agitated and disorderly family emerged from the residence while Officer Bolden and Stanley attempted to advise the family that the seizure order was a mandate from the court and that they could respond by seeking a hearing for the recovery of the puppy. One cooperative member of the family explained that the adult dog was temporarily staying at the residence. Stanley provided the unsheltered dog with a sizeable dog house and rushed the puppy for veterinary care.  

An examination by the puppy’s attending veterinarian determined that not only did the puppy have two rear broken legs, the injuries were weeks old. The contusions and abrasions the puppy received when struck by the vehicle had healed and the injuries to her rear legs were no longer treatable as they had set. Shirley, as Stanley named the puppy, would require confinement. 

Tragically, just days later Shirley passed from internal injuries. 

“Shirley endured days and nights in temperatures below freezing with two broken legs. When I assisted with her seizure, Shirley was cuddling with two kittens on a tiny pillow on the porch of the residence. That weekend I returned with an igloo that I purchased, a woolen blanket that would resist dampness, and a bag of cat food which I placed on the residence’s porch,” said Stanley. “I cannot wrap my head around anyone refusing aid for an injured animal and belligerently defying an officer of the law who was serving a seizure order to remove the animal for veterinary care. I had no hesitation in filing an affidavit charging the family member who claimed “ownership” of Shirley with animal cruelty. Animal advocates across the state welcome strong sentencing for animal victims. I applaud Judge Bamberg for applying animal cruelty laws to show Mississippi does not tolerate animal mistreatment.” 

Stanley and her foster team were devastated by the death of Shirley after she had suffered such trauma and neglect.

Stanley was the affiant in court, producing evidence that Yolanda Honorable caused excruciating suffering for her puppy. Yolanda Honorable was charged under SECTION 1.  Section 97-41-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, (2) (a) If a person shall intentionally or with criminal negligence wound, deprive of adequate shelter, food or water, or carry or confine in a cruel manner, any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of simple cruelty to a domesticated dog or cat.  A person who is convicted of the offense of simple cruelty to a domesticated dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.  Each act of simple cruelty that is committed against more than one (1) domesticated dog or cat constitutes a separate offense.

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

Images and video (free to use with credit to In Defense of Animals): https://bit.ly/ShirleyPix

In Defense of Animals has served animals and communities in the Deep South for 29 years. The organization carries out educational initiatives and directly rescues and rehomes abused, neglected and homeless animals through its Hope Animal Sanctuary in Carroll County, Mississippi. Its Justice for Animals campaign aids law enforcement and courts to prevent, investigate and prosecute animal cruelty, and works with legislators to both create and improve animal protection laws.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of protecting animals, peoples, and the environment through education, campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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