Woman appeals $1.1MM fee for seized animals
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
A Monessen woman has been ordered to pay more than $1.1 million to the Washington Area Humane Society to cover the cost of care and veterinary bills for animals seized from her properties in Monessen and Donora Oct. 30 and Nov. 14, 2019.
Common Pleas Judge Katherine B. Emery handed down the verdict Feb. 9 against Christie Dee Harr, ordering her to begin making payments of $3,700 a month for the next 25 years to cover the expense. Failure to make the payments would mean Harr had forfeited her rights to the animals.
A motion for reconsideration of the verdict was filed with the courts Monday on behalf of Harr. According to the motion for reconsideration, the Washington Area Humane Society isn’t entitled to the funds because it did not incur the cost of care of the 206 animals, mostly cats, that were taken from Animal Orphans Animal Rescue and Pet Sanctuary Inc. The motion alleges that the expenses were covered by the United States Humane Society and others. The motion also contends the animals belonged to the nonprofit corporation, not to Harr, but that she was the only one named in the civil suit.
The motion goes on to say that Harr is facing criminal charges in the case and attending the civil hearing could have affected her ability to defend the criminal case.
“Minimal debts, if any, were incurred by WAHS because the invoices show the animals were moved far outside the jurisdiction of the WAHS,” the motion states.
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