Greenland, N.H. women accused of animal cruelty

GREENLAND, N.H. – Police arrested a New Hampshire woman and her teenage daughter on charges of animal cruelty.

Police say Carol Jones, 42, and her daughter Breanna Martel, 19, kept a dozen dogs, mostly chihuahuas, in inhuman conditions.

“There was feces found on the floor, stacked crates for the dogs in the living room area, odor of ammonia in the house” said Greenland police officer Wayne Young.

The women claimed they were running a rescue.

Police said they didn’t have a license, and they were selling the dogs.

Steve Sprowl of the New Hampshire SPCA said Jones voluntarily gave up ten of the twelve dogs, and a cat, when they were discovered.

“They were treated for any parasites because of so much feces in the house,” Sprowl said.

One woman who adopted a dog from the women said she thought the shelter was legitimate.

Sprowl said it can be difficult to determine if a shelter is authentic.

“Ask them right up front [to] produce a license,” Sprowl said.

Martel is also accused of falsely claiming one dog as a service animal.

Martel and Jones declined to comment on the story.

They will be arraigned in March. Police say the investigation continues, and they would like to speak with anyone who gave or adopted an animal from the women.

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