Former Corbin pet shop owners gets suspended sentence on animal cruelty charges

The owner of a Corbin Pet Shop who left numerous animals locked in the building for days, received the maximum penalty, one year in jail, which she can avoid if she has no further encounters with police over the next two years.

In addition to the probated prison sentence, Lisa Diane Shumate, who owned and operated Pet Kingdom Pet Shop in Corbin, must continue counseling and may not again own a pet shop.

She must also pay $163 in court costs by Aug.

Shumate pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree cruelty to animals.

The situation began on July 27 when property owner D.L. Lynch had the lock to the shop drilled open following numerous complaints about a horrid smell coming from the business on Greer Lane in south Corbin.

Once inside, Lynch said he found several dead animals. Those still alive had no food or water. In addition, the power had been cut, leaving the animals trapped inside the building as the summer temperatures regularly climbed into the mid 90s.
Corbin Police were called to investigate, issuing a criminal summons for Shumate to appear in Whitley District Court.

She initially pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge. However, she later pleaded guilty.

Lynch said previously, multiple individuals and organizations stepped forward with offers to adopt and/or help the animals.

"We had people from all over the state and from organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) lining up at the store wanting to help the animals. It was unreal at the amount of contact we received," Lynch said previously.