Hourly Update

Three Points woman convicted on multiple animal cruelty counts

A Three Points woman was convicted Monday on almost two dozen counts of animal cruelty by a Pima County jury that deliberated just over an hour. June McPherson, 49, could receive probation or up to six years in prison when she is sentenced by Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell May 2, said Deputy Pima County Attorney Kathleen Mayer. Animal-care officers were called out to McPherson’s house on Jan. 30, 2001. They found 58 animals inside the home, including 18 dogs, 17 cats, eight parakeets, four goats, three rabbits and two chickens, Mayer said. Outside, they found more than 200 other animals crammed into filthy pens and cages that were too small for them and weren’t protected from the elements, Mayer said. Among them were horses, wolf-hybrids, rabbits and peacocks. Also found on her property were sugar gliders, lizards, pigeons, potbellied pigs, mice, doves, geese, hedgehogs, guinea pigs and prairie dogs. The animals were confiscated over a two-day period. An animal care officer testified during McPherson’s trial last week none of the animals had water or food. He also said the rabbits’ waste had piled up so high they suffered hair loss and burns on their feet and stomachs. Mayer said most of McPherson’s dogs, cats and rabbits had to be euthanized they were so ill. Authorities were unable to locate McPherson in the days following their first visit and obtained an arrest warrant for her in June 2001. She was arrested last year. McPherson testified her roommate kept bringing the animals home. McPherson said she cared for the animals the best she could despite the pain she suffers from ruptured and herniated discs in her back.