Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Julia Rush appeared in Dayton Justice Court in this Oct. 18 photo. Rush pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of animal cruelty. A Dayton judge ordered she remove an all the animals from the property by Jan. 1.
SILVER SPRINGS - A Silver Springs woman was given 10 days to clear her property of more than 50 animals after she pleaded guilty Wednesday to animal cruelty.
In exchange for the guilty plea, citations for having too many dogs and failing to vaccinate and license them were dismissed against Julia Rush, 51.
Rush was cited by Lyon County Animal Control officers on Sept. 29 after receiving complaints from neighbors about the conditions at her rental property at 1465 W. Badger Drive.
"Animal Control officers found dirty water, overgrown hooves and dogs living in trash and feces," the citation reads.
Photographs taken at the time show horse hooves so overgrown they curled under. Hooves on some of the nine horses measured 16 inches in length, according to court documents.
An estimated 50 dogs, 18 goats, and untold numbers of cats and sheep were also found on the property, said Animal Control supervisor Ted Bolzle. When the citations were issued, Bolzle said, Rush voluntarily surrendered 22 cats. The cats were later discovered to be suffering from feline leukemia and AIDS.
Bolzle said he is pleased with the outcome of the case.
"But our goal is to get the animals out of the situation, that's when we'll be happy," he said.
Rush's attorney asked the judge to allow his client to find homes for the animals. When Bolzle appears at the home on Jan. 1, he has the legal right to enter the property and building and remove any animals that remain.
Rush will be sentenced on the misdemeanor charge Feb. 2.
This will be her second conviction on a charge of animal cruelty. A third charge is a felony.
Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
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