The former owner of the closed property avoided further jail time, but will spend 27 years on probation and two years on house arrest. She must pay $212,000 in fines and restitution for housing hundreds of cats in filth and disease.
Lin Marie, 47, formerly known as Linda Bruno, apologized at a lengthy sentencing hearing for keeping the animals in squalid conditions while accepting donations for their care. She earlier pleaded guilty to 12 counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of tampering with records.
"I'm sorry and I'm sad, and I'd like to move on with my life," Marie told Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos. "I just hope I get a chance to work on me. I need to work on me. I want to work on me."
Rangos ordered Marie to have no contact with animals and to continue mental-health treatment. The judge sentenced Marie to one to six months in jail but gave her credit for 37 days she served. Marie will not have to serve any more time in jail.
"I came into this case thinking ... you were most likely a woman who had good intentions but became overwhelmed. From that perspective until today, I have learned quite a lot," Rangos said. "You have chosen not to cooperate and spew vitriol in others' direction without taking any personal responsibility for the disaster that Tiger Ranch became."
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