AP
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The founder of an animal rescue group has been charged with animal cruelty.
Jefferson County sheriff’s office Chief Deputy Randy Christian says 61-year-old Terra Cotromano was arrested Thursday and charged with 20 counts of cruelty to a dog or cat. She’s the founder of The Emergency Animal Rescue Service.
Christian says she was booked in to the Jefferson County Jail on Thursday with bond set at $20,000 on each charge.
Sheriff’s officials seized 22 dogs and six cats from the organization’s property in January after a monthlong animal cruelty investigation.
The organization’s board fired Cotromano as executive director before the animals were seized. Her attorney says she’s innocent of the charges.
