There are new developments in the case of the former veterinarian found with dozens of dogs inside her home. First, Debra Clopton was was arrested on drug charges; now she faces of long list of animal-cruelty charges. A criminal complaint outlines dozens of counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, one count for each of the 48 dogs taken from one property , a roundup that has overwhelmed the Santa Fe Animal Shelter.
If convicted on all counts, Clopton faces almost 48 years in prison. Forty-five dogs from one cruelty case are still at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. In the last week, three others had to be euthanized. They were all seized from Clopton's Edgewood home. "The information that we had, the evaluation of the animals, it was deemed more appropriate that we file these charges," said Major Ken Johnson of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office.
Last week, sheriff's deputies served a warrant to seize the dogs, some of which appeared to have health issues. One group of seven pups were just a week old when they were brought there. Santa Fe County ordinance allows no more than 10 dogs. Johnson described the conditions at the home as filthy. Shelter officials said so far, they have spent more than $7,000 to care for the dogs for the last eight days.
"Forty-eight dogs coming in our door under any circumstance would be a lot, but 48 dogs that we have to hold longer than the average time, which is generally between five and seven days, is a huge stressor," shelter Executive Director Mary Martin said.
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