ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE Four Preston Residents Plead Not Guilty In Animal Cruelty Case
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Dec. 19, 2012 5:36 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Rowlesburg, Preston County
, West Virginia
Four Preston County residents pleaded not guilty to more than 60 animal cruelty charges.
Media outlets reported that George Moats Jr., 44, Terry Bennett, 66, Richard Moats, 59, and Tonya Moats, 31, entered their pleas Tuesday in Preston County Magistrate Court. Each defendant is charged with 68 animal cruelty counts.
Authorities seized more than 70 animals from the defendants' Rowlesburg home in November. The animals include dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pot belly pigs, chickens and a goat.
Preston County sheriff's deputies reported that the animals didn't have food or water and were underfed. Most were living on piles of feces and garbage.
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Associated Press
