Tiffany Bourdeau was charged in late August with a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty after a complaint lead the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office to seize 37 dogs and other animals from her residence in Sun Prairie.

She has forfeited ownership of all of the animals but one, a chihuahua named Chewy.

Under state law, the charge applies to a person who “purposely or knowingly inflicted cruelty to animals on a collection, kennel or herd of 10 or more animals.

A person convicted of aggravated animal cruelty faces a fine up to $2,500 a prison sentence of up to two years or both.

Bourdeau posted a $1,000 bond and made an initial court appearance on Aug. 29.

Judge John Parker imposed a bond condition that she was not to possess any animals at this time and if she was found in possession of animals, an arrest warrant would be issued.

During the hearing, she asked the judge to allow her to have her therapy chihuahua, which she said she needed for her seizures, PTSD and anxiety and it was recommended by her neurologist.

Claire Lettow, a defense attorney representing Bourdeau for the initial appearance, said that she didn’t want to see Bourdeau’s health decline without her service animal.

She said she didn’t have documentation, but that Bourdeau had shared that information shortly before hearing.

Parker said he’d take that under advisement, but wanted to see documentation before making a decision.

Valerie Winfield of the Cascade County Attorney’s Office objected with serious concerns of the safety of the service animal. She said if the court were to grant that, the state would ask for Bourdeau’s doctor and a veterinarian to testify in court to the need and safety of the animal and that they be allowed access to her home to monitor the animal’s  wellbeing.

Parker said that he would think it over, but if the case remained in his court, it was likely that Bourdeau would have to talk with her doctor about another method of treatment for her condition other than a service animal, given the facts presented in the case so far.

On Oct. 1, Bourdeau, her attorney and the County Attorney’s Office signed a joint stipulation in which Bourdeau forfeits the rights to all animals other than her therapy chihuahua named Chewy.

That means the county, through Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center, which has housed the seized animals since Aug. 27, is now free to adopt out those animals.

In the document, she admits to keeping the animals in what is considered “cruel” under Montana law.

The County Attorney’s Office is “not in any way agreeing” to returning Chewy to Bourdeau in the agreement and the county will retain physical custody of the chihuahua unless otherwise directed by a judge.

As part of the agreement, Bourdeau must pay $430 monthly, until the case is resolved, to the county for Chewy’s care. If she does not deposit the funds within five days of the due date for any reason, she forfeits ownership of the chihuahua, under the agreement.

A bail modification hearing has been set for Oct. 22.

CCSO seizes 37 dogs, other animals, in cruelty investigation

Deputies were dispatched to 1323 Eisenhower Ave. in Sun Prairie for a report of animal cruelty for a welfare check.

There had been several other calls to the property since July 7, but according to Sheriff Jesse Slaughter those didn’t rise to a level that deputies could take action.

County Attorney Josh Racki said the Aug. 27 call was the first that had risen to his office.

When deputies arrived at the property on Aug. 27, they spoke with Bourdeau, who agreed to let them look at the property and take photos.

She granted permission for deputies to enter the residence and inside, deputies found nearly 30 dogs, some in kennels and some loose. Kennels were stacked and had feces and urine in them, according to charging documents.

The floor was covered in fecal matter and Bourdeau pointed out a deceased dog on the living room floor, covered by a blanket, and told deputies it had recently passed, according to charging documents.

Based on the poor living conditions of the animals and the dead dog on the living room floor, deputies applied for a search warrant, which was executed around 6 p.m. Aug. 27.

During the search, 37 living dogs in various states of health were seized and nearly all of them were covered in feces, according to court documents. Two lizards and a hedgehog were also seized.

Deputies learned that three dead dogs were buried on the property and sought an amended search warrant, which was executed on around 10:30 a.m. Aug. 28 and those three dogs were found and seized, as were eight cats, three lizards and a snake, according to court documents.

A veterinarian was called to the property to assess the living conditions and the animals.

The vet stated, “it is absolutely cruel to have these animals in these small kennels, covered in feces,” according to court documents, further stating the living conditions were “disgusting,” “uninhabitable” and “inhumane.”

The animals are being sheltered at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center and the county is accepting donations through the Sheriff’s Legacy Foundation, either online or at the sheriff’s office, to help cover the cost of shelter and care for the animals.