California woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A California woman has been sentenced to two years' probation after she and another woman were found in West Tennessee with more than 140 dogs and one cat in two vehicles.

The Commercial Appeal reports (http://bit.ly/LZek8t ) that Bonnie Sheehan pleaded guilty Thursday to 14 of 30 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Sheehan was then sentenced by Circuit Judge Weber McCraw. Sheehan also must pay a $500 fine and is barred from having animals in her custody during her probation.

Sheehan, founder of an animal rescue group called Hearts for Hounds, and Pamela King-McCracken were arrested Jan. 17 in Fayette County. Authorities say they were driving a rental truck and towing a minivan that were packed with stacks of crates with animals inside.

One dog died and 14 others were dehydrated or suffering from skin disease and lesions.

The women said they were driving from Long Beach, Calif., to Roanoke, Va.

Charges against King-McCracken were dismissed.

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