A Windsor woman accused of running an illegal kennel in ‘appalling’ conditions will not be getting her dogs back anytime soon.
The Press Democrat reports a hearing officer has ruled that North Bay Animal Services was justified in seizing 28 dogs from the home of 35-year-old Christina Urrutia Urena last month. Officials described a garage filled with feces and debris, reporting that many of the animals tested positive for parasites.
Urena, a self-described animal rescuer, denies the allegations of cruelty and claims she is being targeted for her past criticism of animal service agencies. She currently faces four felony counts of animal cruelty and is fighting to take the case to trial. While she has until early February to appeal the custody ruling, a bench warrant was briefly issued after she missed a recent court date.
For now, the dogs remain in the care of North Bay Animal Services.