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Dog owner will appeal conviction
A Warrenton man who was recently convicted of providing inadequate care for approximately 35 dogs is appealing the decision.
Court records show that Judge Charles B. Foley found Charles E. Settle Jr. guilty of the offense following a Jan. 10 hearing in Fauquier County General District Court. The offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
In an order dated Jan. 23, Foley directed Settle to surrender 13 adult dogs, 22 puppies and the unborn puppies of a pregnant dog to the Middleburg Humane Foundation.
Foley also ordered Settle to pay the Middleburg Humane Foundation $4,000 for "all reasonable costs incurred in caring and providing for the aforementioned animals."
Settle declined to comment, other than to say the animals were wrongfully taken.
"They were false complaints," Settle said on Tuesday. "These dogs are show dogs. They are up to date on their shots, and they have been to school."
The appeal date is now scheduled to be set at a Feb. 12 hearing in Fauquier County Circuit Court.
In the meantime, 50 dogs are being housed at the Fauquier County SPCA and at the Middleburg Humane Foundation, according to Fauquier County humane investigator Hilleary Bogley.
"Financially this is a tremendous strain on us," said Bogley, who is also the director of the Middleburg Humane Foundation. "Presa [canarios] are a large, dominant breed and these dogs need tremendous socialization."
The presas, cane corsos and rottweilers in custody at the foundation are getting the extra handling and socialization they require, Bogley said.
"We hope to win full custody of the dogs [if the appeal is denied]," Bogley said.
If that's the case, the Middleburg Humane Foundation staff hopes the dogs can be sent to good homes, she added.
The complaints
In a petition filed in General District Court, Bogley said she seized approximately 23 of Settle's dogs on Dec. 31, 2007. She explained her reasons for confiscating the animals in another document also filed in General District Court.
"Humane investigator [sic] found nine dogs in outdoor enclosures, in varying degree of inadequate shelter, enclosures, food or water. Owner [sic] informed humane investigator that one dog was inside house and had been deemed dangerous," Bogley said in a criminal complaint.
Settle also told Bogley that he had more dogs and puppies at another residence, according to the complaint. Thirteen puppies and dogs were found "without adequate food, water and/or shelters," the complaint states.
"He said he has an emotional attachment to these dogs, but none of them have even been named," Bogley said.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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