Animal Cruelty or Animal Rescue?

Fayette County - Two women that bonded out Friday made their first court appearance at the Fayette County Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday. They're charged with having 141 dogs and 1 cat crammed and jammed inside a U-Haul they were driving to Virginia.

Fox 13 learned Long Beach California Animal Control may have assisted and abetted.

A group of veterinarians from California posted bail for Bonnie Sheeman and Pamela King-McCracken to get out of jail.

Sheeman ran the Hearts for Hounds Animal Shelter in Long Beach, California and King-McCracken volunteered there.

Tuesday the two were in Fayette County court facing 1 count each of aggravated animal cruelty, a charge that carries 1 to 2 years in prison.

"We believe we have adequate evidence to show these animals were transported in an inhumane way," said Attorney General Mike Dunavant.

Sheeman's attorney, David Douglas, says she bought 12 1/2 acres in Virginia to house the animals. He says this was not a traveling puppy mill but rather, an animal rescue.

"I think she was boxed into a position, 'are these animals going to be put down or can I move them to a better facility where they're going to be taken care of'…she had her heart in the right place."

Attorney General Mike Dunavant confirms a dead dog was found inside the U-Haul along with dozens of others sickly animals, "1 was deceased, other hospitalized with various issues, sking issues, fleas, worms, parasites diseases we needed to treat immediately."
But Douglas said, "Some of the animals brought to her may have been as bad a shape as when they were brought to her."

In a statement, the city said two days before the arrests, animal control and police were called to Hearts and Hounds for reports animals were being loaded onto a U-haul.

They say officers saw 10 small, healthy dogs in crates inside the U-haul but no criminal activity. The judge urged prosecutors to get to the bottom of if those agencies hold any responsibility.

The ladies in question turned custody of the animals over to Fayette County Animal Control. The American Humane Association is accepting full financial responsibility for their medical treatment. The next court date is Feb. 21.