The number of dogs seized from property in Whiteford on May 12 increased this week by seven after a rescued female dog gave birth to a litter of puppies at the Humane Society of Harford County in Fallston.
Almost as if she did not wish for her pups to be born into this world until her own future was secure, the mother of the newborn puppies ? five girls and two boys ? did not go into labor until Wednesday night, which was after the woman charged with animal cruelty in the case signed over her claim to the animals.
“It was almost as if she knew,” said Tammy Zaluzney, executive director of the Humane Society of Harford County.
Zaluzney said that Donna Bell, 59, of Whiteford, signed a release Wednesday that rescinded a court complaint filed last week to regain custody of the 70 dogs and four cats taken from her property.
Bell is facing 118 counts of animal cruelty after Harford County Animal Control officers found the carcasses of dozens of dogs and cats, in addition to the animals house at the Humane Society, in two Whiteford homes she owns.
Harford County State?s Attorney Joseph I. Cassilly agreed to postpone the trial if Bell signed a release to rescind her claim to the animals.
“[The postponement and the release] weren?t contingent on each other, but her agreeing to turn over the animals certainly made it easier [to grant the postponement],” Cassilly said. “She really loves these animals ? and things got out of hand,” said Bell?s attorney Leonard Shapiro. “She wants what?s best for the animals.”
Shapiro said Bell filed the complaint in the first place because she was hoping to have a hand in helping the dogs get adopted.
When Bell filed the complaint last week, it had the opposite effect in that the Humane Society was then required to retain custody of the dogs and cats until a judge could rule on the matter. Bell was unavailable for comment.
New timeline for Animal Adoption
» Wednesday, June 7 ? The Humane Society will begin accepting adoption applications.
» Saturday, June 10 ? Adoption Applications will be reviewed.
» Sunday, June 11 ? Approved applicants will be able to take adopted pet home.
