Misdemeanor charge filed in New Maysville puppy case

Friday, January 31, 2014
Officials seized 67 puppies from this New Maysville residence on Jan. 14. The owner now faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge in the case.

A New Maysville woman is charged with one Class A misdemeanor after police seized 67 small dogs from her home and property on Jan. 14.

The Putnam County Prosecutor's Office has filed a charge of cruelty to an animal against 67-year-old Katherine Fishburn in Putnam Superior Court.

Authorities from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Indiana Board of Animal Health, Putnam County Health Department and For Paws Sake K-9 Rescue seized the dogs from "Kat's Kennel of Love," located at 6530 E. CR 900 North after a would-be customer reported the conditions to police.

Deputy Mike Downing fielded the original complaint on Jan. 13, finding unsanitary conditions and an overwhelming smell of dog waste.

Downing reported a strong odor from 25 to 30 feet away from the house. Conditions were so bad that when he returned, the dputy wore a gas mask.

Downing returned with the other officials the following day, serving a search warrant.

When they found a broken water pipe in the barn that prevented dogs from getting water, authorities made the move to seize the animals.

The dogs were taken to three area rescues -- For Paws Sake, Lucky Pups and Helping Pawz -- where they have been cared for in the weeks since.

The Dachshunds and Chihuahuas seized have been treated for a number of health problems, including malnutrition, missing hair, various growths and foot problems such as overgrown toenails and raw pads.

A Class A misdemeanor carries up to a one-year sentence and a fine of as much as $5,000.

Fishburn has not been arrested but a summons has been issued for her to appear in Putnam Superior Court for an initial hearing at 9 a.m. on Feb. 19.

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  • It's a shame that only a misdemeanor charge will be filed. That's barely a slap on her hand. She should be banned for life from even having any animals.

    -- Posted by 4dawgz on Sat, Feb 1, 2014, at 9:00 PM
  • I am so flippin mad! Really What was the ONE MISDEMEANOR count for? The dead dog that was found being eaten by others? Wait maybe the puppy that died in the rescuers hands as she tried to save him? The walking skeleton, Violet, who would have surely been dead in 24 hrs had she not gotten her immediate care? Bambi, who's dental infections were so horrendous it has eaten the bone? The other 60 dogs who mostly have terrible dental infections? Many of who have lost ALL of their teeth because of it...A possible $5000 fine??? We have spend more than that getting medical care and feeding and monitoring and housing...the bill will likely push $25,000! Please someone...an attorney maybe...help us organize. We will blast social media, traditional media, go to the courthouse write letters...whatever it takes. UGH You better believe I will be at the Humane Lobby Days in Indy to speak to legislators.

    -- Posted by Animal Advocate on Sun, Feb 2, 2014, at 7:48 AM
  • The bottom line here is that the puppy mill owner should never be allowed to possess or be in the same household with dogs. She will most likely just get a "slap on the hand" but the most important thing is that the rescued dogs not be returned and remain in much safer environments.

    -- Posted by 4mygirls on Sun, Feb 2, 2014, at 2:58 PM
  • As a Putnam County pet guardian, voter,and taxpayer, I respectfully demand that the charges against Katherine Fishburn be amended to the maximum penalty allowed by law. To merely slap her on the wrist with a single Misdemeanor for the suffering that those dogs endured is pathetic. It is time that Putnam County officials start paying attention to animal welfare issues. Furthermore, this woman should be compelled to surrender ALL of the dogs and be banned from ever owning ANY pets! Ms Fishburn stated on camera that she'd "been ill and hadn't been able to tend to them for a time..." To the contrary- the condition of those dogs indicates long term neglect and suffering.

    "Ever occur to you why some of us can be this much concerned with animals suffering? Because government is not. Why not? Animals don't vote"

    -Paul Harvey

    -- Posted by Essie on Mon, Feb 3, 2014, at 11:03 AM
  • Katherine Fishburn should be made to live in a cage and get no care just like how she treated her animals, she should get MAJOR jail time, that's what is wrong w/our society the one's that are un-educated and looking to make a fast buck by calling themselves breeders should get more than just a slap on the wrist, the Government needs to step up and make them do time and pay the fine.

    -- Posted by love my pets on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 1:50 PM
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