Trial on animal cruelty prices delayed for Angels Camp pet boarding condo owner

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Giuseppe Ricapito

The Union Democrat

The trial of an Angels Camp lady accused of animal cruelty become postponed on Friday due to her protection legal professional's obligation to yet another trial outdoor of the county.

The trial of Vonna Faye Hughes, owner of the now-closed Pet tub apartment, a dog-grooming and boarding apartment on main street in Angels Camp, changed into scheduled to start on Wednesday and final about per week.

A trial environment conference is scheduled for eight:30 a.m. Monday at the Calaveras County sophisticated court docket.

Hughes is charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty, two counts of felony grand theft, and two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty concerning her treatment of Casper, Coco and Cici, three pitbulls boarded at her facility with the aid of a Butte fireplace survivor in late June 2017.

Hughes has denied the fees against her.

Her lawyer, Ken Foley of San Andreas, could not be reached for comment. A consultant of his legislation office spoke of he could be representing a defendant in an Amador County homicide trial at the identical time, which induced a motion for the continuance.

Representatives on the Calaveras County District lawyer's office declined to touch upon the postponement, saying the case changed into nevertheless ongoing.

Butte hearth survivor Steven Mendoza, proprietor of the three pitbulls, spoke of he changed into "irritated" with the aid of the postponement.

"I need every little thing to turn up. I just want to go on with my life. I need every thing done and brought care of. I just need to flow on. I desire closure," he talked about.

Mendoza talked about he nevertheless thinks about Cici, who was discovered lifeless internal a double-bagged garbage bag outside of a spillway particles gate at the Utica vigor Authority on Crestview force in Murphys.

"I leave out her," Mendoza pointed out.

Casper and Coco had been "someplace secure" in the interim until Mendoza receives his Butte hearth contract and that they return to his domestic.

"They should be with me," he noted. "That's all I are looking to say."

Mendoza became reunited with Casper and Coco at Calaveras County Animal capabilities in San Andreas after they were found close Pennsylvania Gulch road in Murphys.

Hughes' legal animal cruelty fees pertain to her depriving all three canines of "indispensable sustenance and defend" while they have been in her care in late June to early July in 2017.

The three dogs disappeared from the Pet tub residence in early July, and Casper and Coco have been located with the aid of Calaveras County Animal services in Murphys through the conclusion of that month. just a few days later, Cici's body changed into discovered in the trash bag in Murphys.

Hughes become arrested on July 8, 2017.

Hughes become charged with grand theft after she billed Mendoza $1,000 and $three,800, respectively, for 2 incidents related to his canines allegedly attacking other canines whereas in her care.

Hughes is accused of charging Mendoza $1,000 for a $750 bill for the remedy of Fred, a dog she stated was attacked by using Mendoza's canine, and for charging Mendoza $3,800 for a $2,800 bill for the medication of Sam, one more dog allegedly attacked with the aid of Mendoza's canines.

Hughes' fees of misdemeanor animal cruelty had been related to an try to heal a gash Fred sustained in the fight with super glue, and for failing to deliver acceptable care for Sam.

Contact Giuseppe Ricapito at (209) 588-4526 or gricapito@uniondemocrat.com . observe him on Twitter @gsepinsonora.

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