Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

Woman acquitted in Kennewick animal abuse case

By the Herald staff

A Kennewick woman has been acquitted by a jury on allegations she abused dozens of dogs and cats while running an animal rescue operation out of her home.

The Benton County District Court jury returned not-guilty verdicts for Brandy Ann Leighter on three counts of molesting or mistreating an animal and one count of injuring or torturing an animal, according to the court.

A fifth count for molesting or mistreating an animal was dismissed.

The trial lasted two days, with jurors taking a third day to deliberate and return their decision.

Leighter, 39, has a history in the Mid-Columbia as a pet foster parent and animal rights activist.

She used to operate the Columbia Basin Animal Rescue and Protection Agency on East Columbia Drive before moving it to her West Ninth Avenue home.

Police searched the property a year ago after getting a number of complaints. They reportedly found almost six dozen dogs and cats and a snake living in cramped conditions.