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Two arrested in Mojave animal cruelty indictment
| Friday, Jun 6 2008 4:57 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Jun 9 2008 7:58 AM
Deputies arrested a well-known animal rescuer in the Mojave area Friday for abusing animals.
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The new grand jury charges against Cynthia Bemis added to the dozens of animal cruelty charges already filed against the 59-year-old woman, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.
Bemis is facing 15 criminal charges of failing to care for animals in San Bernardino Court and 20 animal cruelty charges in Kern County Superior Court.
Under a court order, Bemis must submit to weekly inspections by Animal Control at her property located at East Trotter Avenue southeast of Mojave, said Sgt. Richard Wood with the Sheriff’s Department.
Officers impounded two cats and nine dogs in a raid on Bemis’ property in February after a report of several animals being unhealthy.
In recent inspections, officers have found several dogs suffering from skin problems, unfed and one was missing an eye because of an infection, Wood said.
“It appeared like there was too many dogs to take care of,” he said.
No animals were seized in recent inspections, said Animal Control Chief Denise Haynes. She declined to comment further about the case.
Bemis was arrested on suspicion of 14 counts of animal cruelty.
Deputies also arrested Cynthia Trapani, 47, at Bemis’ property on Friday, deputies said.
Trapani, who works with Bemis, is accused of shoving an animal control officer in an inspection in February, Wood said.
Trapani was arrested on suspicion of battery on an animal control officer, felony resisting arrest and six counts of animal cruelty, according to the Sheriff’s Department.