Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Patricia Ann Scott, 48, with four counts of animal cruelty. Between Oct. 1, 2012 and Nov. 29, 2012, the defendant severely neglected a cat, guinea pig, and two dogs, resulting in the death of one dog.

“Animal cruelty laws were written to hold people accountable for crimes such as this,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “When defenseless animals are victimized, we prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent under the law.”

The defendant was taking care of multiple animals while she lived at her parents’ home with her sister and brother-in-law. Her sister noted that if anyone attempted to assist in the animals’ care, the defendant would “fly off in a rage.” When one of her dogs was found dead in the garage, the defendant told her brother-in-law that it was sleeping. He reported the animal neglect to Pierce County Animal Control.

On November 29, 2012, an Animal Control officer responded to the defendant’s home. In the garage, three crates were covered with tarps and blankets. Inside the first crate was a cat, covered in feces, scratching at the door to get out. The second crate contained a dog, inches deep in urine and feces. The last crate revealed a decomposing dog. By wrapping the animals’ cages they were left to breath ammonia-rich stench which in itself caused suffering.

Inside the house were multiple animals including, four birds kept in covered cages, which were uncovered once every two weeks. An emaciated gecko and rat were found living in separate, filthy aquariums. A hamster and a dead mouse were located in separate aquariums with no access to food or water. A rabbit was found in a feces-filled crate with no access to food or water. There were two crates with deceased animal remains and another two crates with compressed feces. Lastly, a guinea pig with no access to food or water, was so severely neglected that it was placed in foster care for one-on-one care. The other animals, living and deceased, were removed from the residence.

The defendant was arraigned today. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 4, 2013. Additional charges may be forthcoming. Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.