WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Fugitive Ark. Animal Abuser Captured in Vt.

Fugitive Ark. Animal Abuser Captured in Vt.

St. Johnsbury, Vermont - July 20, 2009

Tammy Hanson, 42, was brought into court in handcuffs. She was arrested over the weekend in Sutton as a fugitive from justice. Police say Hanson had been using the alias Christine Miller and hiding out in Vermont since being convicted on 20 counts of animal cruelty in her home state of Arkansas.

Sheriff John Montgomery, of Baxter County, Ark., said, "We found almost 600 dogs that were in the most unbelievable conditions. They were in their own filth, waste, urine; they were neglected. There were dead animals everywhere. It was the most horrific thing I have ever seen."

Sheriff's Office pictures showed some of the conditions the animals endured at the "Every Dog Needs a Home" rescue. The convictions were only misdemeanors, though Hanson is wanted for three additional felony counts in Missouri for unrelated counts of stealing animals.

Some of the animals in Hanson's possession were dogs displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Police say Hanson made multiple trips to New Orleans to pick up dogs, with no means of caring for them.

"Here are these people who are actually relying on her to take care of their animals while they are dislocated and trying to get their lives back together. And again, if you look at those conditions, it's just awful," Montgomery said. "Now her claim at that time is she was just trying to help and she got over her head."

Prosecutors told the judge that Vermont is in talks with officials in both Missouri and Arkansas. A status conference on Hanson's pending extradition has been set in a week's time.

If Hanson decides to fight extradition, all three states involved in this matter will have 60 days to fill out the necessary paperwork. In the meantime, she is being held without bail.

Adam Sullivan - WCAX News

Click here for more photos of Tammy Hanson's property on the Baxter County Sheriff's Office website.