The Racine Police Department removed 26 dogs on Friday from a dog rescue after they were found in stacked cages that were too small.
Terry Bogard, 63, and Heather Jensen, 33, were charged with 26 misdemeanor counts of mistreating animals — intentional or negligent violation. If convicted on all charges, the couple faces up to 19 years, six months in prison and/or fines up to $260,000.
The couple volunteered for Lucky Mutt dog rescue, which Jensen was the president of until Friday, according to their Facebook page.
According to the criminal complaint, Racine Police, the City of Racine Health Department, and Wisconsin Humane Society were called to a residence to remove 23 dogs. Officers reported that they could smell a strong odor of urine inside the home. They located 12 large dogs living in 12 small dog cages.
“Many of the cages appeared to be too small to allow the dogs to move freely within them. The cages were all stacked on top of each other, two cages high,” the complaint reads.
Dog food was located near the cages and several bowls were flipped over. None of the bowls had water. A thick coat of dog fur covered the floors in the home and the walls were streaked with either mud or feces.
Jensen and Bogard cooperated with the police in turning over the dogs. They helped take the dogs out of the house, and gave Wisconsin Humane Society personnel the names of all of the dogs. In total, 26 dogs were removed from the home. Two of the 26 dogs, however, were given to family members as they were their personal dogs.
Jensen and Bogard are being both held at the Racine County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing has been set for $5,000.
Editor’s note: This version of the story clarifies that the couple volunteered for Lucky Mutt rescue. We apologize for the error.
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