Darlene H. Reno, 64, of 3803 Highway X, Dexter, pleaded no contest to charges of intentional mistreatment of animals and was actually sentenced to jail time, no much, only 30 days but considering the usual ’slap on the wrist sentences’ we see, this is better than nothing. She was also sentenced to three years of probation, a $250 fine, plus court costs and 500 hours of community service. She’s banned from keeping any more than the 5 dogs and 3 birds she currently has and the dogs must be spayed or neutered.

On March 5, a Wood County Humane office found 77 dogs in a 23-foot-by-17-foot room. Reno surrendered a total of 84 dogs on March 6.

The dogs were covered in urine and feces, some were seen eating the carcass of a dead horse, little water was found but there were animal bones bone in an outside kennel.

“I have never heard or seen anything as horrible as this,” said Powell, who has been a humane officer since August. “It was eye burning; it made you cough.”

One dog had to be euthanized, two dogs’ eyes were removed, and another had its leg amputated.

During the court appearance Wednesday, about 350 photos of animals on the property as well as a video recorded inside the barn that housed the dogs, which you can view below, was presented as evidence for the prosecution. Potter, along with Assistant District Attorney John Henkelmann, Powell, Reno, and Gebert viewed the evidence in a private room.

Reno’s attorney, Timothy Gebert, said she is a compassionate animal owner who “was taking care of these animals in the most humane way.”

View the video and you tell me if it looks like humane care!!

Video of puppy mill

Reno had been investigated in August 2005 and November 2006 for complaints alleging she was running a “puppy mill” and selling sick dogs, according to filed reports from former Wood County Humane Officer Vanessa Marceau. No charges were filed against Reno based on either of those complaints.

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