Warren released on own recognizance

A woman who faces 17 charges of animal cruelty and 11 alternative charges of cruelty to animals, second or subsequent offense, was released on her own recognizance on Monday. 

Public defender Alisha Backus moved to release Cathie Iris Warren, 61, owner of Adonai Rare Poodles, and the state did not object. Warren had been held on a $50,000 bond. 

District Judge James Wheelis earlier denied Warren’s release after the state had trouble pinpointing her identity and said she was a flight risk with several contacts around the United States through her dog breeding network.

Warren was charged on Aug. 22, about three weeks after Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and Animal Control staff removed 119 animals from her home just outside Libby city limits. The animals removed included 53 dogs and six donkeys, while Warren voluntarily allowed the county to remove 60 parakeets as well.

According to court documents, Warren’s dog breeding and kennel operation has been in question with the county since April, after members of the county animal control and health department staffs visited Warren’s property in response to a barking complaint, and Warren’s application with Lincoln County for a kennel license for the upcoming year. 

Her next court date is a pre-trial conference at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 28.