KINGMAN – Two protesters picketed outside the Mohave County Law and Justice Center as an alleged animal hoarder appeared for a change of plea hearing in downtown Kingman. The plea finally entered on Tuesday, May 21 came after a number of delays last year when Bette Fuschel, 78, claimed difficulty in arranging transportation from Dolan Springs.
Various animal advocates have long complained that Fuschel should be the focus of more rigorous prosecution. One protest sign displayed Tuesday insisted the Court should “lock her up.”
Mohave County Animal Control Officers reportedly seized 46 dogs from separate rural residential properties on Jan. 11 and 12, 2023. Deputy Mohave County attorney Jacob Cote said their mistreatment exceeded neglect.
“The defendant was in possession of a total of more than 40 dogs that were extremely dehydrated and malnourished, some to the extent you could see their ribs and hips,” Cote told Judge Doug Camacho. “The conditions of at least some of the dogs amounted to torture or serious physical injury.”
Fuschel complained she was being persecuted at the start of her criminal case. Her critics countered she had an animal hoarding history deserving aggressive prosecution.
Fuschel pleaded guilty to two counts reduced to attempted cruel mistreatment of animals. She’ll be placed on supervised probation and could get up to one year in the county jail when sentenced July 5.
Dave Hawkins
