UPDATE: Moss Landing woman sentenced in animal cruelty case
UPDATE: A Moss Landing woman has been sentenced to felony probation and 180 days in jail for animal abuse crimes first discovered in July, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
On Tuesday, Prosecutors said Dena Rissel, 56, was ordered to spend 180 days in jail. However on November 19 she will be back in court and is expected to serve the rest of her sentence on a home confinement program.
Rissel has also been placed on felony probation for five years and is not allowed to own or care for any animals during that period. A judge has informed her that SPCA humane officers are to be allowed on her property at any time to make sure she’s following the terms of her probation.
Rissel was also ordered to participate in mental health counseling to address her issue with hoarding.
PREVIOUS STORY: More than a hundred severely emaciated animals were rescued from a property in Moss Landing on Monday, according to the SPCA for Monterey County.
Investigators said an anonymous tip came in about dead and dying animals at a property off of Dolan Rd. That’s where humane officers said they discovered a horrific scene of animals who had not had access to food or water for a long time.
The SPCA said it rescued 34 baby calves, four cows, 35 goats, three sheep, three hens, two ducks, five piglets, 15 dogs and four kittens. Investigators said the animals were found on a quarter acre lot with a house and numerous outbuildings. They described the property as cluttered and filled with manure with piecemeal pens tied together with wire or twine.
The SPCA said a border collie mix was found near death and was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment including a blood transfusion. Livestock animals were treated by Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic.
Investigators said two dogs were locked up in crates inside a car and two more dogs were in crates in the bed of a pickup truck, with insufficient ventilation due to a camper shell.
The SPCA said the owner will be charged with multiple violations including animal cruelty.
