More charges filed in pet-shop case

Kim Smith

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

A local pet shop owner already facing charges of selling sick and dying animals to unsuspecting pet lovers is now facing additional charges.

A Clark County grand jury Tuesday returned an indictment charging Judy Palmieri with an additional 11 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses, bringing to 18 the total number of counts she faces.

After unsealing the indictment Wednesday, Deputy District Attorney Susan Krisko told District Judge Mark Gibbons that Palmieri sold an ill pet within hours of being told a grand jury was convening to discuss her case.

Gibbons raised Palmieri's bail from $15,000 to $50,000 as a result, but allowed her to remain free on the lower amount until Aug. 28, when she will have to post the additional bail.

Defense attorney Karen Winckler, who represents Palmieri, declined to comment Wednesday, saying she had not yet seen the new indictment.

According to the indictment handed down June 5, Palmieri sold 12 sick puppies and kittens between July 1, 1999, and March 31, 2002, "with the intent to cheat and defraud, willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, knowingly, designedly and by use of false pretenses."

Palmieri owns and operates the Meadows Pet Center in the Meadows mall.

The indictment alleges that all of the animals were sold for between $250 and $1,200 and were suffering from a variety of ailments, including parvo, hernias and upper respiratory infections. One of the animals was found to be "unfit for breeding."

Prosecutors believe that Palmieri "knew or should have known" the animals were ill.

Krisko said the new indictment adds 11 counts pertaining to 10 new victims.

Some of the latest charges stem from incidents pre-dating those included in the first indictment, Krisko said. Other allegations came to light as a result of recent media coverage of the case, she said.

Palmieri will be arraigned Aug. 28 by District Judge Sally Loehrer.