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"Sanctuary" Raid, Cazenovia, WI
May 2009
The Thyme and Sage Ranch
On May 19, 2009, the ASPCA Field Services and Disaster Response Teams, as well as our Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, were dispatched to manage the collection of animal evidence in the investigation of an animal "sanctuary" in Cazenovia, WI, known as the Thyme and Sage Ranch. The teams discovered more than 400 animals at the site, many of whom were ill and suffering.
The Case
Since 2007, the ranch, owned by Jennifer Petkus, held the animal control contract for Richland County, which permitted it to pick up stray dogs, cats and other small animals. It also acted as the County's animal shelter. After numerous public complaints regarding the condition of animals kept at the ranch, the Humane Society of the United States began an investigation along with the help of Dane County Humane Society. Dr. Lisa Kerwin Lucchi, Medical Director for Dane County Humane Contacted Dr. Merck with a request to assist in the evaluation and report to be presented to the District Attorney of Richland County. Based on Dr. Lucchi's findings and other supporting reports the District Attorney of Richland County opened an investigation and requested the ASPCA to manage the animal evidence of the criminal case. The ASPCA assisted in the investigation and subsequent search of the sanctuary property.
The Raid
During the early morning hours of May 19, the Dane County Humane Society, ASPCA, AHA, and HSUS, alongside the Richland County Sheriff's Department, raided the Thyme and Sage Ranch. More than a dozen responders from the ASPCA Disaster Response Team as well as crime scene investigators began to collect evidence for the prosecution of the criminal case and evaluate the animals found at the site.
"This was not a sanctuary," says ASPCA Disaster Response Team member Kristen Limbert. "The stench of feces and urine and rotting straw was awful. Sick animals were crowded together everywhere we looked."
Most of the animals were housed in deplorable conditions and suffering from neglect— ear and eye infections, rotted teeth, mange, malnutrition, fur matted with feces and various other infections were rampant. One ram, missing a leg and left to suffer with a large open wound, had to be immediately euthanized. Rotting animal carcasses were also found on site. Many of the dogs were pregnant, which could be linked to puppy sales indicating commercial interests. Several of the complaints that authorities received indicated that many of the puppies that were sold had died from parvo.
All together, more than 315 dogs, 21 rabbits, birds, horses, chinchillas and a ferret were examined on the scene and in the ASPCA CSI Unit. Dr. Ellen Hirshberg, a staff veterinarian at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and a member of the ASPCA Disaster Response Team says, "Many of the animals were underweight. A substantial number of them had skin diseases caused by the excrement that matted their fur. The majority of the rabbits had portions of their ears missing, probably due to trauma."
The Aftermath
Petkus was charged with 11 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and five forfeitures—to which she pleaded not guilty. Misdemeanors included improper shelter and mistreating animals by intent or negligent violation. Petkus relinquished ownership of 270 animals, which were transported to at least 15 animal shelters and rescue groups throughout Wisconsin. Ten dogs considered to be Petkus' personal pets were returned to her under the conditions that the dogs would be checked weekly by a veterinarian,
"Our next step is to continue preparing a report that includes results of the crime scene search, the forensic veterinarian investigation of both living and deceased victims, and the complete photo package of the overall scene, each animal victim and the conditions in which they were living," says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA Director of Field Operations and lead investigator on the case. According to Eyre, once this report is filed, there is the possibility of additional charges, including fraud, tax issues, ill-gotten gains and other violations of Wisconsin law.
The case is currently adjourned until September 2009, and Petkus remains out on $10,000 bond. If convicted she faces up to a $10,000 fine or nine months in jail for each misdemeanor. Each civic forfeiture carries a fine of between $200 and $5,000. The animals are being held as evidence by the Dane County Humane Society and its shelter partners as part of the ongoing investigation.
Thank You!
The ASPCA is extremely grateful to the shelters and organizations that aided in the rescue and housing of these animals. We are honored to recognize their generosity. They include:
- Dane County Humane Society
- PetSmart Charities®
- American Humane Association
- Saranac Technical Rescue Team
- Humane Society of the United States
- United Animal Nations
- Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society
- Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
- Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue
- Washington County Humane Society
- Dunn County Humane Society
- Adams County Humane Society
- LaCrosse County Humane Society
- Dodge County Humane Society
- Wallpaca County Humane Society
- Humane Animal Welfare Society
- Green Lake Humane Society
- Sheboygan County Humane Society
- Clark County Humane Society
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