Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A former Jonesboro puppy mill owner pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat or equine, a Class D felony, on Wednesday.
Karen Siegel was sentenced under the First Offender Act to 24 months of supervised probation and 50 days of house arrest, according to a press release from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the 2nd Judicial District. She cannot own or possess animals during her probation.
Siegel must undergo a psychological evaluation and comply with the recommended treatment as part of her sentence. She is also ordered to pay a $650 fine and $132,592.07 in restitution.
| READ MORE: Puppy Mill suspect must pay $30,600 cash bond
Jonesboro Animal Control officers responded to a residence in January 2024 regarding the conditions of animals living on the property. Officers seized more than 50 dogs after executing a search warrant. The animals were found in stacked kennels that were covered in waste or freely roaming the property. Several animals appeared malnourished and unclean, and officers found two deceased animals while executing the warrant.
“The conditions these animals endured were unacceptable and deeply disturbing. This resolution ensures accountability by imposing meaningful punishment, while also structuring the sentence in a way that allows the defendant to pay significant restitution for the tremendous cost of care. We are grateful to the officers and rescue partners who stepped in to protect these animals and give them a second chance at life,” Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Thomason, who prosecuted the case, said in the press release.
The press release added that the surviving animals were taken into the care of various rescue organizations and have since been adopted.
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