WARREN - Three people arraigned in a cruelty to animals case in which starving and dead dogs and cats were found at their Hamilton Street S.W. homes all pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Municipal Court Monday.
As a condition of their bonds, Tiffany Charleton, 30, Michael Kelly, 33, and Randall Charleton Sr., 60, all of 2530 Hamilton St. S.W., are not allowed to own animals while their cases are pending.
The charges against Tiffany Charleton and Kelly stem from a Nov. 28 raid of their 2518 Hamilton St. home where police and animal welfare officials found five dead dogs inside the house and four dead cats outside the house. A live dog was taken into custody.
Article Photos
Animal Welfare League employees Andrew Austin of Champion, left, and Shannon Lanesky of Parkman play with four dogs taken on Friday from the house of Randall Charleton of Warren following an investigation by the Animal Welfare League.
Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple
Warrants were issued for the couple, and they were arrested Friday at the 2530 Hamilton St. S.W. home of Randall Charlton Sr., who was taken into custody on animal cruelty charges after four malnourished dogs were found at his home, according to investigators.
Tiffany Charleton and Kelly each face nine misdemeanor counts of cruelty animals. Each count has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $750 maximum fine. Municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem set their bond at $1,500 surety, 10 percent.
Randall Charleton's bond is $3,500 surety.
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The charges
Tiffany Charleton, nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Bond set at $1,500
Michael Kelly, nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Bond set at $1,500
Randall Charleton Sr., four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Bond set at $3,500
All three pleaded not guilty. As a condition of their bonds, they are not allowed to own animals.
Preliminary hearings, 10:15 a.m. Dec. 20.
They have preliminary hearings set for 10:15 a.m. Dec. 20.
The five dogs are doing well, said Debbie Agnostinelli, a member of the Animal Welfare League said on Monday afternoon.
"They were given baths, defleaed and dewormed and are eating well," Agnostinelli said. "They are in good shape."
The dogs are in a legal limbo while the Charletons are going through the courts on animal cruelty charges.
"If the Charletons are found innocent of all charges, they will be able to obtain their dogs," Agnostinelli said.
The families will have to pay sheltering costs and the cost of medical services done to the dogs while they have been in Animal Welfare League's care.
In September, Kelly and Tiffany Charleton were ordered to remove seven of 11 dogs found in their home by Warren Animal Control because of a city ordinance that bans anyone from owning more than four dogs.
The dog found in the Nov. 28 raid is expected to recover. Besides the animals, the home was full of needles and feces and garbage.
Tribune Chronicle re-porter Raymond L. Smith contributed to this article.