Trial could be coming as soon as next month for one of two Hartford residents accused of animal cruelty in a case that came to light this past spring.
56-year-old Thomas Staggs appeared in Lyon County District Court for a pretrial hearing Friday afternoon at which time potential trial dates of Sept. 21, Oct. 12 or Oct. 18 were announced. Staggs will have a final pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15 to determine if trial will proceed on the 21st or at a later date.
Staggs and his wife, Rhonda, are both accused of animal cruelty after Lyon County law enforcement and the private group Guardians of the Wolves went to 303 East Grand in Hartford in late May, following several complaints about the property. Seventeen dogs were taken to undisclosed locations after the alleged rescue, with several dealing with heartworm, parvovirus and other illnesses.
