Staff Report
Julie Ann Hicks
COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City woman was recently arrested for allegedly leaving two dogs by themselves at a condemned residence.
Julie Ann Hicks, 42, 1331 E. Louise Drive, Columbia City, is charged with cruelty to an animal, a class A misdemeanor.
On March 8, a Columbia City Police officer responded to a possible animal neglect case. The officer went to the residence and attempted to make contact with the homeowner, but no one was home at the time.
According to court documents, the officer could hear dogs barking while he was at the home. A neighbor said she believed the homeowner, later identified as Hicks, had moved out and resided in Fort Wayne. She said someone came to the home once every one to two weeks and believed she last saw someone at the residence on March 3.
The officer obtained a search warrant for the home and discovered an unlocked window. Upon opening the window, the officer noticed a strong smell of feces. Large amounts of dog feces were found throughout the home, and it was apparent the feces had built up over multiple weeks without removal or cleaning.
Two dogs were present in the home. Several rooms in the residence still had clothing and beds inside them, suggesting the homeowner had not completely moved out yet.
Whitley County’s Health Department deemed the residence condemned due to its conditions.
Hicks called the officer, who said she knew the dogs were typically left alone for days a time. She also did not question the officer when she was told her dogs were being taken to a local animal shelter due to the residence’s conditions.
Hicks was booked in the Whitley County Jail on April 4.
