Amber Kay Higdon, a 31-year-old woman from Georgia, has been sentenced to prison after leaving seven three-week-old puppies trapped in a plastic tote in 95-degree heat near a highway. The puppies died as a result, leading to Higdon pleading guilty to seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. She left the puppies with no food, water, or shelter, and they were too small to climb out of the tote. Higdon had initially tried to surrender the puppies to a shelter but instead abandoned them when she became annoyed with their whining. A passerby found the puppies six hours later and a necropsy revealed they died from pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, and cardiac arrest.
Prosecutors recommended a 20-year sentence for Higdon, while her defense attorney suggested 10 years. In the end, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the first two to be served behind bars and the rest on probation. Higdon is also prohibited from owning or having contact with animals during her probation. Her co-defendant in the case, who was not named, pleaded guilty and received probation as well.
The Cherokee County District Attorney and prosecutors emphasized that the case sends a clear message that crimes against animals will not be tolerated in the area. The cruel actions of Higdon resulted in the unnecessary suffering and death of innocent puppies, prompting the severe sentence.
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