Phoenix-area dog boarders plead not guilty in pet deaths
Jun 3, 2015, 9:12 AM | Updated: 9:33 am
PHOENIX — A Gilbert couple pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the deaths of dogs at their pet-boarding facility.
Jesse and Maleisa Hughes faced animal cruelty charges in Maricopa County Superior Court for the deaths of 21 dogs at their business last year.
The animals died of heat exhaustion and suffocation after the air conditioning went out in the Green Acres’ locked room where they had been herded.
Jessie and Malesia Hughes pled not guilty. Their next court date is 7/15 before Commissioner Phemonia Miller.
— MC Superior Court (@courtpio) June 3, 2015
This was the second set of charges filed against the Hugheses. The original charges filed against four, including Austin Flake, son of U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, and his wife Logan, were dropped in December.
