179 charges: Debra Gray, former owner of Orphan Kanines, reaches plea deal, gets two years probation

RACINE COUNTY -- 56-year-old Debra Gray, the former owner of the Orphan Kanines facility in Caledonia -- facing a total of 179 charges in two separate cases out of Racine County has reached a plea deal.

Debra Gray

171 charges were filed against Gray in connection with "deplorable" conditions found last summer at the Orphan Kanines facility in Caledonia. She was criminally charged in that case on June 2nd, 2014.

The charges in that case included 85 counts of intentionally mistreating animals, one count of operating a shelter without a license, and 85 counts of intentionally providing improper shelter for animals -- all misdemeanor charges.

Officials raided the Orphan Kanines facility in Caledonia and two of Gray's residences (one in Caledonia, and one in Racine).

Orphan Kanines

Dozens of animals were seized from Orphan Kanines and Gray's residences after officials found conditions "hazardous to both humans and animals alike."

The Wisconsin Humane Society took in 94 animals from the Orphan Kanines facility in Caledonia. 64 of the animals were adopted on June 18th and the remaining animals went home in the following weeks as they recovered from serious illnesses and behavioral issues that required therapy. Four of the 94 animals were euthanized due to severe medical or behavioral issues.

Orphan Kanines in Caledonia

In November 2014, new criminal charges were filed against Gray after officials discovered a makeshift animal operating room in the basement of a home on County Road H in Caledonia owned by Gray's mother. Mary Pratt, a veterinarian found performing operations was charged as an accomplice.

In that case, Gray was charged with six counts of misdemeanor bail jumping and two counts of possession of an illegally obtained prescription.

In the first case, filed in June, Gray has pleaded no contest to three of the charges, and the rest were dismissed.

Gray was found guilty, but the court moved to withhold her sentence -- and she was instead placed on probation for two years on each charge (to be served concurrently, for a total of two years probation). As conditions of her probation, Gray cannot operate any animal shelter, store or any other business with animals. If she is compliant with the rules and regulations of her probation, she may be approved for no more than two pets.

The eight charges in that separate, second case filed against Gray were also dismissed as a result of this plea deal.

The Wisconsin Humane Society has issued this statement in response to the sentencing:

"As far as the sentencing of Debra Gray in the Orphan Kanines case, we were not privy to that process and we’re just glad the animals are now safe after enduring so much suffering. No sentence could fix this situation and repair the trust people and donors had put in Ms. Gray and Orphan Kanines. The real justice was provided by the local community, which stepped to provide rescue, shelter, donations and loving homes when these animals needed them most."

Josh King, Rebecca Beardsley and Lola

A Slinger couple, who adopted one of the dogs who lived at Orphan Kanines say they were surprised by the plea deal -- but most importantly, they're thankful the animals are now in new homes.

"It`s like we`ve always had her," Josh King said.

King and Rebecca Beardsley say now, they couldn't imagine life without little Lola.

"As soon as I saw her, I just fell in love," Beardsley said.

Lola

They say that love deepened, knowing what they rescued Lola from -- deplorable conditions at Orphan Kanines.

"It was of course, very sad to see -- especially the horrible conditions," Beardsley said. "No animal should really have to live in what they did."

Gray's attorney says she is happy with the plea, calling Gray a "lover of animals," saying she has "a huge heart."