BY JESI MUNGUIA
After pleading guilty to multiple counts of animal abuse, a northern Michigan woman was sentenced this week.
Thirty-five year old Jennifer Elen Tucker-Richard faces up to 3 years probation, 250 hours of community service and is prohibited from owning any animal or having them on her property.
In January authorities seized 37 dogs and 6 miniature horses from her residence near Hillman. Tucker-Richard pleaded guilty to two of five charges against her. One count of animal cruelty or abandonment and another for animal killing or torturing.
Tucker-Richard is also ordered to pay over 18 thousand dollars in restitution, plus over one thousand dollars in fines and costs. Part of the restitution money will be going to the Elk Country Animal Shelter to pay for procedures that were done.
Pauline Handcock, executive director of the animal shelter, said the dogs had to undergo numerous medical procedures and treatments after being taken from Tucker-Richard's home, including skin infections, bladder surgery and "cherry eye" surgery.