WA woman convicted of animal abuse in llama case

A Whatcom County woman who cared for a herd of 41 llamas in 2007 has been convicted of eight counts of first-degree animal abuse.

Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder issued his verdict after Lanette Smith's bench trial ended Wednesday. No sentencing date has been set.

In March 2007, an animal control officer and veterinarian Nancy Williams went to inspect the herd after people complained about seeing a dead llama in the pasture west of Ferndale.

Williams testified she found many of the llamas emaciated, infested with parasites and found the field covered in feces and eaten down to swamp grass.

All 41 animals were seized, and Williams had to euthanize seven she determined to be near death.

Smith took the stand in her own defense, saying she was an experienced llama owner, fed the animals hay daily and thought they had adequate water from a creek.

The judge said he found Smith criminally negligent in caring for the herd, and that her negligence caused starvation, pain and death.

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Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com