The court process will begin later this month for Thomas Staggs on animal cruelty charges — just not on the same initial schedule as his wife.
Staggs will have his first appearance in Lyon County District Court on June 17, three days after Rhonda Staggs’ first appearance is scheduled. Both are facing 14 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after Lyon County deputies and Lyon County Animal Control took the dogs from the Staggs’ property in Hartford on May 26.
Updates on the dogs’ conditions are pending. Guardians of the Wolves says at least several of the dogs suffered from confirmed cases of parvovirus and heartworm with medical checks underway to see if other ailments were also present. The group continues fundraising to offset the dogs’ medical costs. CEO Lori Wynn says Guardians of the Wolves raised around $9,000 and is starting a second fundraiser Friday. Wynn says the group needs over $20,000 to cover medical costs, including but not limited to immediate medical care, vaccinations and spay or neuter procedures.
