Woman at center of rabbit abuse and theft case gets probation
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. - A woman who was charged with over 250 counts of animal neglect andthen stole back dozens of rabbits from law enforcement has received probation for after pleading guilty on several counts.
Miriam Sakewitz's home on Northeast Kathryn Street was raided in October of 2006 and nearly all of the rabbits found alive there were either sick or dying. Over 100 dead rabbits were found in her garage, their bodies stored in freezers.
All of the animals were confiscated and held as evidence by law enforcement officials at a secret location where they could be cared for.
But in a strange twist, Sakewitz found out where the rabbits were being stored and stole back dozens of the animals. An alert hotel clerk tipped off police and 132 of the animals were discovered at a farm in Cehalis, Washington.
On Thursday, Sakewitz plead no contest to tampering with physical evidence and one count of second degree criminal mischief. She received a sentence of five years on probation.
She also plead guilty to five counts of first degree animal neglect and five counts of second degree animal neglect.
She received another five years on probation for those crimes.
The rabbits have been at the center of court battles over adoption proceedings.
Miriam Sakewitz's home on Northeast Kathryn Street was raided in October of 2006 and nearly all of the rabbits found alive there were either sick or dying. Over 100 dead rabbits were found in her garage, their bodies stored in freezers.
All of the animals were confiscated and held as evidence by law enforcement officials at a secret location where they could be cared for.
But in a strange twist, Sakewitz found out where the rabbits were being stored and stole back dozens of the animals. An alert hotel clerk tipped off police and 132 of the animals were discovered at a farm in Cehalis, Washington.
On Thursday, Sakewitz plead no contest to tampering with physical evidence and one count of second degree criminal mischief. She received a sentence of five years on probation.
She also plead guilty to five counts of first degree animal neglect and five counts of second degree animal neglect.
She received another five years on probation for those crimes.
The rabbits have been at the center of court battles over adoption proceedings.