Suffolk animal owner tells her story

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Jennifer Harrell will appear in court in a few weeks to tell a Suffolk judge she has not violated a court order. She was found guilty of animal cruelty in 2009 after several emaciated horses were found tied to trees off Wilroy Road.

"I couldn't go out there four, five times a day like I wanted to but I was doing what I could and I took stuff out here," said Harrell when we talked to her Tuesday at her mother's Deerpath Road home.

Tuesday, Jennifer gave 10 On Your Side a tour of her mother's property and made sure we understood all the goats, rabbits, and dogs are not hers. She pointed to one dog and one goat under her care.

"I keep her over there only because I have no fence in my yard and we have a leash law in this area," she said.

Jennifer said she lives in the trailer across the driveway from the home. The home has been a growing site of frustration for neighbors who, over the years, dealt with horses and goats on their property.

In one case, Jennifer said the goats got out because there wasn't a lock on the pen but in another, she said someone cut the horses's fence.

Animal Control now makes regular stops to check on the welfare of the animals.

Jennifer said the increased scrutiny and stress has forced her mother to make a difficult decision.

"That's the reason she's getting rid of all her goats. She loves her goats and she is getting rid of most of them," said Jennifer.

Jennifer's mother, Linda Vann , is now facing animal cruelty charges as well.