A Whatcom County woman was found guilty Wednesday, Oct. 21, of abusing several members of a herd of llamas she cared for in 2007.
After Lanette E. Smith's bench trial concluded Wednesday morning, Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder deliberated before finding her guilty of eight counts of first-degree animal abuse and one count of bail jumping.
A date for her sentencing has not been set.
Smith cared for a herd of 41 llamas in a pasture in the 6000 block of Olson Road west of Ferndale.
In March 2007, an animal-control officer and veterinarian Nancy Williams, whose practice is based in Maple Falls, went to inspect the herd after people complained about seeing a dead llama in the pasture.
Williams testified at trial she found many of the llamas emaciated, infested with parasites, and found the field covered in feces and eaten down to swamp grass.
All 41 llamas were seized, and Williams had to euthanize seven she determined to be near death and beyond rescue.
Read the complete story at bellinghamherald.com
.jpg)
Comments