The Tonopah woman facing animal cruelty charges appeared in Tonopah Justice Court on Wednesday.
Bette Lynne Fuchsel, 69, was arrested Feb. 24 by Nye County deputies and charged with 20 counts of cruelty to animals, 19 counts of failure to vaccinate, 20 counts of dog license required and one count of odor.
Fuchsel opted not to enter a plea on the animal cruelty charges, which she is scheduled to return to court for a status check on May 13.
On the failure to vaccinate and failure to license the animals, Fuchsel pleaded not guilty and is expected to go to trial on the charges also on May 13.
Fuchsel has the option of entering a plea on the animal cruelty charges at a later date.
Sixty-seven Whippet dogs and two cats were seized from Fuchsel’s home at 24 Cody St. The Whippet is a medium-sized dog related to the Greyhound breed.
The animals were transported to the Tails End animal shelter in Pahrump due to the small confines of the Tonopah Animal Shelter.
Tails End Director Susan Cronin said none of the animals were spayed or neutered and she suspects some of the dogs were the result of inbreeding.
The animals have since been evaluated by a veterinarian, and are in good condition according to Cronin.
Fuchsel is represented by Public Defender Chris Arabia.
Cronin on Thursday said Fuchsel has signed over 19 of the dogs to the shelter.
“Right now, 12 of the dogs are being spayed and or neutered,” she said. “The puppies are doing really well and are being socialized. We are talking with some of the rescues about taking some of them in. A lot of them are very adoptable.”
Cronin also said Fuchsel has made several visits to the shelter to visit the dogs, which, on occasion, gets the dogs stirred up.
“Whenever she comes over all the dogs start barking and jumping around due to her presence,” she said. “It creates a lot of havoc around here.”