Kennel owners are charged

The couple accused of running an illegal kennel in South Salt Lake was charged Tuesday with a dozen violations.

Randal and Stephanie Evans, who ran the Hope Haven Animal Rescue, were charged Tuesday in South Salt Lake Municipal Court with all class B and C misdemeanors, including three counts of animal cruelty, air pollution, unsanitary conditions, disturbing the peace, too many animals, no permit and no business or animal licenses.

Police seized a total of 35 cats, 26 dogs, three birds and two rabbits on March 16 after serving a warrant on the warehouse the Evanses were renting near 2600 South and 1000 West. Two of the cats had to be euthanized.

Rather than filing one count of animal cruelty for each animal seized and overburdening the court, prosecutors decided to charge each Evans with one count for all the dogs, one count for all the cats and one count for the rabbits, said South Salt Lake police Capt. Chris Snyder.

Additional counts of animal cruelty for the birds could be filed pending the outcome of a report by a veterinarian, he said.

The Evanses will be summoned to appear in court, although no date had been set as of Tuesday. They will not be arrested or booked into jail prior to the hearing.

Police, prosecutors and animal control officers are hoping to take care of the matter quickly, in part because of the animals.

Deputy City Attorney Janice Frost said the warrant used to seize the animals called for animal services to maintain the pets until further order from the court. The shelters cannot attempt to adopt them out until either the couple voluntarily relinquishes them or the court rules the couple cannot have them back, she said.

Snyder said Randal Evans had indicated previously that he would give up his rights to the animals but as of Tuesday had not followed through with that.

Currently, all of the cats are being kept at South Salt Lake's animal shelter and the dogs at Sandy's shelter. The shelters made a plea for public support last week for food, water dishes, litter and money for medication the animals desperately needed.

This isn't the first time Randal Evans has been in trouble with the law for kennel violations.

In November 2002, Evans was convicted in Weber County's 2nd District Court of another kennel violation and for creating a public nuisance. He was fined, ordered to perform community service and placed on one year's probation.

During his probation, Evans was not allowed to commit any similar offenses. His probation ended in November 2003.

In the Weber County incident, Evans was running an illegal kennel out of a house near Huntsville, according to animal control officers. He was cited for having too many animals, approximately 20 dogs, in a house.

Animal control officers in Weber County, however, said the dogs were not in bad shape when they were found.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com