COURT HOUSE— Twenty-two of 60 dogs seized from Dawn Scheld’s residence on Dec. 12, 2010 have been released to the S.P.C.A., according to agency investigator Theresa Cooper.
Scheld, 46, along with her husband Leroy Thomas, 46, was indicted by a Cape May County grand jury on Tue., Jan. 18 for allegedly causing the death of several of dogs and animal cruelty. Their two children, Kevin Scheld, 23, and Leann Thomas, 18, were also indicted, but on less serious charges.
Cooper said, out of the 22 dogs released, quite a few have already gone to foster homes or were adopted. Scheld is refusing to release the remaining 38 dogs, two cats and one bird.
The S.P.C.A has temporary custody of one of the remaining 38 dogs. Bailey a collie, estimated to be about 5-years-old was found to be in critical condition the day he was seized. Cooper said the dog had heartworm so badly he was in congestive heart failure.
Cooper said two doctors with Shore Veterinarians saved Bailey’s life that night. Several months later he remains in critical condition placed with a foster home in the county. Cooper said that breed of dog will normally live 12 to 13 years, but doctors say Bailey’s condition is terminal. Doctors estimate he has just a few more months to live.
Fourteen of the dogs seized on Dec. 12, tested positive for heart-worms and other parasites. Some of the dogs require additional treatments for heart worm before they can be adopted.
Medical and boarding expenses have cost the S.P.C.A over $50,000 since they seized the animals that were kept in pens covered in feces and in Scheld’s home, which was in similar conditions.
Scheld has given no explanation as to why she will not release all the animals or why she chose the 22. Cooper said Scheld has not once asked how her animals were doing or if she could have visitation with them.
Scheld, who has not responded to repetitive request by the Herald for an interview, has been actively defending herself on the social networking site Facebook since she posted bail Jan. 13.
On Jan 18, Scheld posted a statement on her Facebook account Wall “Don’t believe everything you read….stay tuned for the truth….the only DEAD DOGS are those of our pets who were buried on our property where we lived for 15 years…….the only Robeson dogs buried on my property were two pups who died of Parvo in July after their sibling was euthanized at the local animal hospital…..I understand your outrage but you are being misled even the charges listed in the articles are incorrect. Talk to people who have actually been there …over 70 people have adopted happy healthy dogs from us this year.”
One of her friends responded, “What about the pictures, Dawn? I HAVE to ask!! We were all working to save so many and the pictures show a totally different life than what we ever expected from someone who fought so hard to save. This is heartbreaking for all involved! I know this is an ongoing legal investigation but I have to say, the cops don’t just charge 4 people with these types of charges. WHY would they want to come after you guys?
Scheld said in her response that she was told by the S.P.C.A investigator she was being “disciplined” for bringing North Carolina dogs and problems to New Jersey.
Cooper denies that was the reason Scheld was charged and said someone who was on her property reported her for animal cruelty and her investigation found the same conditions that were reported.
Scheld continues in her response and admits “there was, feces on the floor” but has an explanation as to how the feces got there.
“Those poor dogs were never let out to go to the bathroom….my son was there handcuffed…..where were they supposed to go to the bathroom during the 9 hours this “raid” went on” Scheld explained.
When the Herald arrived on the property several hours after the initial raid S.P.C.A police said no one had yet been taken into custody.
The last post by Scheld on Feb 12, sates she has $600 a month in food receipts for the animals. She also says she provided dog houses and hay which are “standers”.
Scheld, her husband and children are due back in court on March 11, for a status hearing. Cooper said the prosecutor assigned to the case Christine L. Smith is ready to proceed to trial and expects a trial date to be set at the status hearing.
The NJSPCA is funded solely by donations, grants, bequests and fines levied. It receives no government funding or tax dollars. To this date the S.P.C.A has spent over $50,000 on this case. The S.P.C.A. is asking the public to help them in this quest to end the needless suffering of animals by donating money. Click here for more information: http://www.njspca.org
