A Georgia man has been found guilty in Loudoun General District Court in connection with the seizure of ten dogs on the Dulles Greenway in September.
Tremain Dene Johnson, 44 of Lithonia, Georgia, was convicted of ten misdemeanor counts of importing pet dogs into the Commonwealth of Virginia from another state without certificate of veterinary inspection. On five of the counts, Johnson was fined $2,500 with $1,750 suspended, pending no further violations for one year. On the other five counts, Johnson was fined $750. Jail time for the convictions was waived at the discretion of the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Harry Ortice Puckett, 33, of Elgin, Illinois, who was also charged with the same ten counts, was found not guilty.
The court had previously awarded the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services custody of the ten pit bull-type dogs seized on the Greenway on September 7, 2012.
Animal Control Officer Angela Chan, who responded to the call on September 7, said she was pleased that the court recognized the seriousness of the case. “Too often, animals are exploited in the pet trade, their health and well-being neglected in favor of financial gain,” Chan said. “This law exists to ensure that the health of animals transported or imported to the Commonwealth is certified by an accredited veterinarian and provides a mechanism for us to address violators. Animals without proper certification can present a danger of contagious and infectious disease to our local animal population.”
The Loudoun County Department of Animal Services is located at 39820 Charles Town Pike in Waterford, Virginia and can be reached seven days a week by calling 703-777-0406. More information about the department is available online at www.loudoun.gov/animals.
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Media Contact: Anna Nissinen, Public Affairs and Communications Officer, 703-777-0113; anna.nissinen@loudoun.gov