Animal cruelty charge filed for 14 abandoned pets in Lebanon house
May 10—A Lebanon woman is facing one count of animal cruelty for abandoning seven dogs and seven cats in a home on S. Meridian Street . Faren Taylor has been summoned for an initial hearing Tuesday morning in Boone Circuit Court. If convicted of the Class A misdemeanor, Taylor could spend a year in prison.
Authorities rescued 14 dogs and cats from the abandoned residence on April 7. The home was trashed and had an excessive accumulation of fecal matter and urine everywhere. The animals were significantly underweight and most did not have food and water, according to Boone County Animal Control officer Deputy Hannah Fisher said.
The windows were covered so officers had to secure a warrant to get into the home.
Once inside, rescuers had to wear respirators because of the smell. The cats were kept behind closed doors in the bathroom and a bedroom. Fisher reported that some of the feces were covered in white mold as an indicator of how long the animals had been abandoned. However, officers have not said if they know how long the animals were left alone.
Taylor and Devin Hodges were the residents, but Hodges is out of state and told investigators he left the animals in Taylor's care. Taylor has not resided in the rental home since she moved. She has been served an order to appear tomorrow, but if she does not show, a warrant for her arrest will be issued.
The charges against Taylor were filed on April 28. There are no charges filed against Hodges.
At the time of the rescue, an eviction case was pending against the two residents. It is unclear where Taylor is, but Fisher said she has spoken to her during the course of the investigation.
