Probation officer gives office BJ to boot-camp teen
Terra Cotromano, Animal Rescue Founder, Charged with Cruelty, Missing Money
Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 7:09 am
 |
They included tens of thousands in missing money, sloppy bookkeeping, and nasty conditions for the dogs and cats the shelter was supposed to be protecting.
According to board members, $65,000 was missing for 2008 alone. In November, the state warned that the shelter was blowing off notices for an audit. By December, a bank froze the agency's money and the board says Cotromano blocked attempts for another audit.
The board had to get a restraining order allowing it to check on the condition of the animals. When all was done, deputies were forced to remove 22 dogs and six cats on grounds of suspected cruelty.
It seems previous allegations of cruelty went as far back as 2008. It's just that the woman doing the abusing -- Cotromano -- was also the one in charge of hearing the complaints.
By January, 176 animals had undergone medical examinations. The shelter's entire roster of cats had respiratory infections. Vets also found that dozens of dogs had heartworms and parasites.
Deputies are still investigating the missing money, but Cotromano has already been charged with 20 counts of cruelty.
See our last story about animal cruelty: Indiana Woman Beaten by Boyfriend While Trying to Save Her Puppy.
Tags: Alabama
More links from around the web!
