A 62-year-old Clearfield woman whose 14 Persian cats nearly died of starvation and disease has been sentenced to four days in jail.
In addition to the jail sentence and the one-year probation, during which she cannot own or care for pets, Clara Elizabeth Timmons was ordered to pay $658 restitution to the Davis County Animal Control and $900 in fines.According to court reports, the cats were discovered July 19 in an apartment following a tip from a neighbor. The cats were suffering from upper respiratory disease, malnutrition and dehydration, animal control officers said.
All 14 cats had to be destroyed.
Timmons originally was charged with 14 counts of cruelty to animals, but pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to three of the charges and a separate count of operating a cattery without a license.
In an Adult Probation and Parole report, Timmons stated that she would feed the cats when she was able to buy cat food on sale. Court reports indicate she earns about $11 an hour at Hill Air Force Base.
Second Circuit Court Judge Alfred Van Wagenen also ordered Timmons to undergo a psychological evaluation and complete any recommended treatment.