South Burlington couple denies throwing kitten in dumpster
Kelly Cooney, 35, was all smiles Tuesday as she walked out of Vermont Superior Court.
She and her boyfriend, Justin Perkins, 33, pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges at their arraignments.
Advertisement
"Ms. Cooney may not buy, possess or have any animal or pet in her home," said Judge Nancy Waples.
The charges stem from an alleged animal cruelty situation last week at the O'Dell Apartments on Farrell Street in South Burlington.
Police said a neighbor called 911 last Thursday to report a rumor about a kitten thrown into a dumpster.
When first responders arrived, they said they heard sounds of a cat crying coming from the trash container at the apartment complex.
Officer Sarah Bellevance said when she looked inside, she saw a kitten's face pressed up against a white trash bag.
In court documents, the officer said she quickly tore the bag open and removed a small, wet, crying black kitten with brown discharge coming out of its eyes.
The caller told police the cat belonged to Cooney and Perkins.
The papers also said the couple told officers they couldn't afford medical care for the kitten and were planning on bringing him to the Humane Society, but didn't have a ride or any money.
Police took the cat to an emergency vet.
Doctors said the kitten has a broken leg that was caused by severe trauma.
Cooney told police that earlier in the week, Perkins had shoved the kitten off the kitchen table after the cat ate some of her daughter's pizza.
In court, the judge ordered Perkins to get rid of all his pets by the end of the day.
Cooney and Perkins are due in court in October.
Comments
Post a Comment