From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
CENTRE — A Centre woman charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty following the seizer of dozens of animals in October was found guilty on all counts on Monday.
Ruth Staggs, 48, was sentenced by District Judge Wesley Mobley to 30 days in jail and 11 months suspended sentence. She will not be allowed to have any animals during the sentencing period.
Investigators arrived at Staggs’ house on County Road 793 near the Rock Run community on Oct. 1 to conduct a welfare check on Staggs’ mother when they discovered more than 40 cats, dogs, rabbits and turtles living in conditions of squalor. The animals, some dead, were stuck in crates and wire enclosures littered with feces and urine. Some animals had no food.
One puppy was found dead in the front yard with other puppies eating the body, according to the Coosa Valley News. The outlet also reports that nine dogs and cats died during treatment because of the “severity of their illnesses.” Six were puppies who had parvovirus.
Two turtles were discovered dead in their aquarium with no food or water. Staggs testified that she wanted to have a taxidermist preserve the turtles because her mother enjoyed looking at them.
Staggs is scheduled to report to the Cherokee County Detention Center on Jan. 21. Staggs will be on supervised probation for two years following her release.