A woman has been charged with felony animal cruelty after emaciated animals, including a duck, were seized from her property near Long Lake in April.

Sigrid Birgitta Winney, 63, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday and is scheduled for trial on Oct. 22.

SCRAPS Animal Protection Officer Darlene Brumley responded to complain of five goats with no foot or water at Winney's property at 29116 W. Long Lake Road on April 9.

A confidential informant showed Brumley another property at 15857 N. Coyote Ridge Road where six goats were being kept without food and water, and two dogs were tethered to a tree. Officer Francisca Rapier spoke with Winney on April 11, and Winney said she felt terrible when she realized the terrible condition "of the goats and pregnant sheep," according to court documents.

Winney said "she had not actually put her hands on the animals over the winter, as she had been feeding in the dark at night," according to court documents. Officers also observed about 10 cats living in filth. Some of the animals had to be euthanized.

Winney is charged with first-degree animal cruelty, second-degree animal cruelty, confining animals in an unsafe manner and operating a dog kennel without a license.
 

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