Former animal shelter board member pleads guilty to animal cruelty

A former Knox/Whitley Animal Shelter board member pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty in Laurel District Court Tuesday, while 21 other animal cruelty counts and three counts of endangering a minor were dismissed in the case.

Jennifer Adkins was sentenced to 360 days in jail and placed on conditional release as a result of the plea.

In May, Adkins was charged by Laurel Deputy Sheriff Jason Back after the officer was informed that dogs who appeared to be without food and water were housed outside Adkins’ home at 124 Short Lane off Spring Cut Road.

In all, 20 dogs, 13 of which were inside the house, a cat and a goat were taken to the Laurel County Animal Shelter. Officials described the conditions the animals were living in as deplorable.

Knox-Whitley Shelter Board President Barbara Storms confirmed that Adkins had indeed been a member for only two months and was asked to resign because of questionable activity.