Iowa animal rights activist faces animal cruelty charge

An Iowa animal rights activist faces a charge of animal cruelty after she was allegedly caught on video beating a dog with a club.

TV news station KCCI reports that a concerned resident in Ottumwa, Iowa videotaped 41-year-old Noelle Stanbridge beating her dog fifteen times with a club after she caught him digging in the backyard. 

Police told reporters that Stanbridge identified herself as an animal rights activist and an outspoken critic of the local police department's policy on euthanizing stray dogs after seven days.

A local veternarian accompanied police on a search of her home, which turned up 10 dogs in her care. None of the other dogs showed obvious signs of injury so they are allowed to stay with Stanbridge for now. 

Stanbridge faces up to a $500 fine if she's convicted. Investigators expect more charges to be filed against her.

-Chance Welch

Comments

[ACitizen]

A $500 fine is not near enough -- maybe $500 for every time she struck the dog would be more appropriate ! !

[R. Brassard]

Chance Welch...nice story, except for the so-called "animal activist" label...do you even know what an activist is?sounds more like you write propaganda for the Iowa AGlobby & federal government...I will say one thing, you write terrible propaganda, and are definately an inept reporter...