TUSCUMBIA, Ala. — Debra Catledge, the Colbert County woman found guilty on more than three dozen counts counts of animal cruelty, will spend nine years in prison, followed by another 21 on probation, During that time, she will not be allowed to own animals.
According to court documents, her sentences on each count ranged from 1 year to 10 years. The six 10 year sentences were split so that she would serve three years in prison followed by seven on probation. Three of these sentences will run consecutively; the remaining three will run concurrently, with all of the one year sentences running concurrently with these.
Catledge must also pay court costs, attorney fees, and a Victim's Compensation Assessment.
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A Colbert County jury on Thursday convicted Debra Catledge, the woman accused of leaving dozens of horses and dogs in various stages of neglect on her property, on 37 counts of animal abuse.
The judge assigned to the case also increased Catledge's bond to $150,000 ahead of her Sept. 24 sentencing hearing, due to "being an increased flight risk."
Photos posted on social media by the Colbert County Animal Shelter showed staff and volunteers wrangling dogs and horses with various signs of neglect in early October 2023. Some of the animals sported matted fur, wounds, and inflamed tissue.
Several animals were discovered dead and decomposing on the Cherokee property Catledge owned. She was later ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the animal services department for the care and cleanup work performed on the surviving animals.
A 41-count indictment was originally filed against Catledge in May; however four of those counts were later dropped in court.
Catledge's attorneys have filed an appeal against the increased bond amount. That matter is expected to be taken up on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
GALLERY: Colbert County animal abuse investigation
