EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – The two El Dorado County women charged with exposing multiple animals to inhumane conditions and severe neglect entered guilty pleas in El Dorado County Superior Court on April 19.
Jennifer Cowles, 48, and her mother Adele Painter, 71, both of El Dorado, have pled guilty to animal cruelty charges.
The animals involved in the case — including multiple dogs whose mouths were duct-taped shut to keep them quiet, forcing them to go for extended periods of time without water, and at least one horse that was severely malnourished — were removed by El Dorado County Animal Services and given shelter and needed medical care.
“What these animals endured was horrific,” said Chief Henry Brzezinski of El Dorado County Animal Services. “Thankfully, we were able to intervene, provide assistance to them, and bring resolution to this case.”
According to Brzezinski, Cowles pled guilty to one felony count of animal cruelty and Painter to a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. They did not receive jail time as part of their sentences.
In addition to both being ordered by the court to not possess any animals for 10 years, Cowles will be on two years formal probation, Painter on one-year summary probation, and both are subject to search and seizure, and restitution to Animal Services. They are also required to notify Animal Services within 48 hours of any change in their address.
The women must also complete 200 hours of community service.
The case originally began as a commercial kennel investigation in October 2020 when the two women, suspected of running a puppy mill, were issued multiple County citations for operating without a commercial kennel license, allowing their horses to run loose, and neglecting to provide water for multiple animals, including livestock.
Follow up checks were conducted by El Dorado County Animal Services, and in June 2021 with the execution of a search warrant, Animal Services found evidence of cruelty and severe neglect, including dogs with duct tape around their mouths; all the dogs had new wounds and past scarring on their muzzles from continuously being taped over and over again. There was evidence of malnourished animals and records of illegal sales of puppies. They also found a horse that was starving, 300 pounds underweight, and in need of immediate veterinary treatment to prevent death, as well as other inhumane conditions.
Animal Services removed the animals from the property – a total of 17 animals (8 dogs, 5 goats, 1 sheep, and 3 horses) – and provided for their needed care.
A follow-up search was conducted in October 2021 after Cowles and Painter had been arraigned to ensure the pair were complying with their court-ordered conditions of release which included not having any animals. It was determined the mother and daughter were concealing seven dogs on their property on Goldorado Trail, in the town of El Dorado. Two adult dogs were stashed in trash cans and two litters of puppies were dumped in the woods behind the house in an attempt to hide the dogs from Animal Services. These animals were seized and provided care by Animal Services.
“Thankfully, these individuals will no longer have animals in their possession,” said Brzezinski. “We’d like to express our gratitude to our agency partners who helped us bring resolution to the case. Many thanks to El Dorado County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Whyte and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, specifically District Attorney Vern Pierson for his continued support of animal crimes prosecution; Detective Chris Macres and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office; Crossroads and Loomis Veterinary Hospitals; and Animal Services Officer Jessica Rorick and all of the El Dorado County Animal Services officers and shelter staff who provided assistance and care of these neglected animals.”
Brzezinski also thanked volunteer Marianne Cann, who gave special care to the starving horse to bring her back to good health.
The pair are subject to restitution to Animal Services and may be personally liable for the costs associated with the housing, care and treatment of the animals. A hearing will be conducted in the near future to determine restitution that they may be required to pay.
Brzezinski said his office will be closely monitoring the two guilty women.
According to Brzezinski, all of the animals initially removed from the property have since recovered and been placed with new homes and/or animal welfare partners. The dogs and puppies removed in October of 2021 will be placed up for adoption once they have been cleared by the Animal Services veterinarian and are ready for adoption. Pictures and information regarding the animals, when ready for adoption, will be posted to El Dorado County Animal Services’ website: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/AnimalServices/Pages/animal_services_main_info.aspx