Woman gets jail time for animal abuse

Appeal Staff Writer

DAYTON - A Silver Springs woman was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days in jail for keeping and neglecting dozens of animals after she failed to abide by the sentencing in a previous conviction.

"You and I had a conversation that I was not going to tolerate this," said Judge William Rogers of the Dayton Justice Court, referring to the previous case. "It didn't matter if you thought I was right or not, I ordered you to do certain things with animals and you ignored that."

Julia Rush, 51, pleaded guilty Dec. 23 to misdemeanor animal cruelty. In exchange for the guilty plea, citations for having too many dogs and failing to vaccinate and license them were dismissed.

Rogers suspended an additional 90 days in jail and placed Rush on probation. He also ordered she turn over to the court the locations of any animals she placed on her own between pleading to the charge and the sentencing on Wednesday.

"You absolutely are not to have any ownership, possession or care or any animals and are not to reside in any residence where animals are," he said.

Lyon County Animal Control Supervisor Ted Bolzle testified Rush's rental home at 1465 W. Badger Drive was filthy, with the rooms buried in feces and animals with no social skills being kept inside.

He said of 21 dogs removed on Jan. 3, only six pups and their mother could be salvaged. The remainder was euthanized.

"I believe with the condition these animals were in, it was at a minimum, severe neglect," said Deputy District Attorney Michael Bongard.

Rush's 15-year-old daughter testified that after her father left, the number of animals increased because they had "been dumped" there. She said she was teased at school by other children because of her mother's situation.

The bulk of the girl's statement was hard to understand because she broke down in tears as she pleaded for leniency for her mother.

Friend Val Braggs said she has known Rush for six years.

"I know Julia wouldn't have intentionally hurt any animal," she said. "She was doing the best she could with what she had. I think it overwhelmed her.

An estimated 50 dogs, 18 goats, horses with 16-inch hooves and dozens of cats and sheep were believed to be on the property when the citations were issued in September.

At that time Rush voluntarily surrendered 22 cats. They were later euthanized after being diagnosed with feline leukemia and AIDS.

Mary Champlin lived across the street from Rush. In her opinion the sentence was too light, she said.

"We saw those horses standing in their own manure for five years," she said. "There were sheep that hadn't been sheered in four years. What she did to those animals was just wrong."

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.