A Madison County woman charged with 177 counts of cruelty to animals pleaded innocent Tuesday.
Joyce Eulela Johnson, 67, was arrested after 295 dogs were removed from her home near Wesley on March 3. She was released on citation.
In May, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joel E. Cape filed formal charges: 27 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 150 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
The felony charges, under Arkansas Code Annotated 5-62-104, involve knowingly torturing a dog, cat or horse.
Johnson faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each felony count and one year in prison and a $1,000 fine on each misdemeanor charge.
The raid took place after the Humane Society of the United States received a tip that the animals were housed in deplorable conditions, according to a news release from the organization.
Shonna Harvey of Lowell, director of the nonprofit Paws and Claws Pet Shelter of Madison County, said she is the one who notified the Humane Society. She said the investigation began in December.
Johnson's jury trial is set for Sept. 13, according to a filing in Madison County Circuit Court.
Metro on 06/29/2016