A 74-year-old Bristol puppy breeder, convicted of animal crimes in Virginia and Tennessee with another charge pending, has now handed over a total of 40 dogs to the two states.
William Joseph Hilliard was convicted Monday of animal cruelty in Washington County, Tenn., for cramming two baby shih tzus into a pet taxi on a hot Sunday at the Jonesborough flea market. Hilliard was carrying around a third dehydrated puppy.
“I didn’t think one would make it; I thought the little brown one would die,” said Washington County Animal Control Officer Wayne Thomas. “Now, they’re all doing really good, and they’re gonna get nice homes and hopefully live long lives.”
Hilliard pleaded no contest in court Monday, Thomas said. He was sentenced to a year of probation and 40 hours of community service, forever banned from the Jonesborough flea market and is forbidden from bringing animals into Washington County for two years. He was ordered to pay the shelter $66.49 for the dogs’ medical treatment. Thomas advocates for tougher regulations on dog breeding and selling in Washington County. It’s particularly problematic at the flea market, he said, where people come from states away to sell their puppies to the highest bidder.
“Some of these breeders are just in it for the dollar, they could care less about their pet and just want to pawn it off on somebody. And that really burns me up,” Thomas said. “If I get the opportunity to make them pay for it, then I’m going to. But I can’t do anything about what happens in Bristol. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
On June 25, a woman called the Bristol Virginia Police Department to report that a man in an old blue truck stole two Boston terriers from her father’s home in Mendota, Va. An investigation led police to a small home on Lewis Street that Hilliard shared with his long-time roommate and business partner. He had the Boston terriers, but told police a man gave him the dogs.
But the house was so crammed with filth and dogs, 46 of them, that the city condemned the property. The dogs were taken to Jones Animal Hospital with rotting teeth and fur matted with dirt and feces.
Hilliard and the business partner were each charged with 46 counts of animal neglect. Several weeks later, each was convicted on 23 counts. The judge allowed Hilliard to get five of the dogs back and the partner got four.
Of the 37 dogs left at the pound, three died, but the rest were adopted, according to the veterinarian.
Then again last week, Hilliard was in Washington County, Va., court on the felony dog napping charge. His lawyer requested a psychological evaluation, calling his mental state “questionable.” The request was granted and his hearing was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 8.
In Washington County, Tenn., permanent homes have been found for the three shih tzus.
“They’re all going home,” said Thomas. “They’ll be taken care of; they’ll get the kind of love these animals deserve. So if you’re in Washington County, and you don’t take care of your animals, one day, I might come knocking on your door.”
cgalofaro@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531
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