By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Huntingdon, Tenn.—The judge hearing the case of animal cruelty against an Atwood couple has given each side until October 8 to present briefs in the case.
A Carroll County Grand Jury indicted Tara Neutzler and Donald Schoenthal, who are charged with some 300 counts of animal cruelty, aggravated cruelty and two counts of child abuse, neglect and endangerment.
At a hearing Wednesday morning in Carroll County Circuit Court, Judge Donald Parish asked both sides to submit briefs on the constitutionality of the statutes involved in the case.
The couple are free on an appearance bond of $391,994, but a higher bond of $500,000 has been asked by Animal Rescue Corps to ensure that the group’s expenses of taking care of the animals are covered.
Paris Attorney Bruce Griffey is working for Animal Rescue Corps for free (pro bono) and is trying to secure the bond to help pay for the group’s expenses. He noted earlier that Animal Rescue Corps has been financially suffering while taking caring of the animals, including food, shelter, vet care and other expenses for all of the 150 animals which were seized.
The charges against the couple are the result of the “Noah’s Ark” animal rescue at the couple’s Atwood home in April of this year, which was coordinated by the Carroll Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Washington D.C.-based Animal Rescue Corps.
The animals were found in dire conditions, with several dead in cages with live animals. The live animals were ailing and included domesticated pets, farm animals and exotic animals. Among those found dead was a zebra.
WENK/WTPR photo.
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