Pretrial hearings are now on the docket for both Hartford residents accused of animal cruelty after close to 20 dogs were removed from their homes last month.
Thomas Staggs will have a hearing in Lyon County District Court on July 28, while his wife, Rhonda Staggs, has a pretrial hearing on Aug. 2. Both face 17 counts each of misdemeanor animal cruelty after authorities say 17 dogs, including 14 wolfdogs, were found in inhospitable conditions after neighbors complained.
The dogs were removed by Lyon County deputies, Lyon County Animal Control and the private organization Guardians of the Wolves after Hartford city leadership reached out for assistance. All of them were taken to undisclosed locations.
