Charges filed in dog neglect case

The woman who had 120 dogs taken from her East Lake home faces 46 animal neglect charges despite a civil judge's order that 60 of the dogs be returned.

Each of the misdemeanor charges against Teresita Hughes carries up to one year in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Hughes’ lawyer, David Parry, said his client will plead not guilty.
In April, officials with the Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor had the Pinellas Sheriff's Office accompany them to Hughes' home after receiving complaints about the  living conditions of the dogs there. The league took possession of 120 Pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese and went to court last month to gain custody of them.

Pinellas County Judge Myra Scott McNary ordered Suncoast director Rick Chaboudy to return 60 of the healthiest dogs because Chaboudy didn’t have the legal authority to confiscate them.

Times staff writer