An Augusta County woman who admitted shooting and killing a litter of puppies and then dumping them over an embankment
just before Christmas last year will serve no time in jail.
Betsy Hemp was
convicted of six misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty on Sept. 24. She also pleaded guilty to six charges of illegal dumping in connection with her disposal of the puppies' bodies.
She had originally faced felony charges of torture of an animal, causing death, but they were all reduced to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges when she was convicted.
On October 10, in Augusta County Circuit Court, Hemp faced sentencing.
During the hearing, her lawyer called John Anderson to testify. He spoke about all of the things Hemp does for his wife and himself, including cooking, running errands like getting groceries and prescriptions, and taking care of the lawn.
Hemp also testified. She said she was angry and frustrated that even though she tried to do the right thing, she wasn't able to find a place for the animals. Hemp said she regretted killing the animals.
Her lawyer, Dana Cormier, argued that Hemp should not receive jail time. He didn't think that would benefit Hemp or the people she helps. He said he hoped the judge would see Hemp as a good woman who made a mistake.
During the hearing, Hemp testified that she thought of the animals as working dogs, and her lawyer argued that meant she saw them differently than the companion animals she also raised.
The judge ultimately gave her a suspended sentence, pointing out Hemp's testimony of seeing them as working dogs before doing so.
Hemp will be required to complete 500 hours (which comes out to 20 days and 20 hours) of community service and pay a $1,500 fine for the charges of illegal dumping (related to her dumping of the puppies' bodies.
She'll also have to carry out 60 hours of litter abatement.