Gail Giustino pleaded no contest Tuesday to two animal abuse charges in what officials call Martin County\u2019s worst animal hoarding case, a case that began with the rescue of more than 100 animals from a property near Hobe Sound.<\/p>\n
Giustino, a 77-year-old mail carrier, will serve two years of probation and is prohibited from having any contact with animals. A no-contest plea means she did not admit guilt but chose not to fight the charges at trial.<\/p>\n
Attorney Josh Deckard addressed the sentence outside the Stuart courthouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile there was no jail time imposed, my client is required to be on probation for a period of two years \u2026 the most important caveat that she has to follow is that she has no contact with any animals,\u201d Deckard said.<\/p>\n
The judge also ordered Giustino to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment. Violating probation could mean up to two years in county jail.<\/p>\n
A total of 108 animals were rescued from the property. Tish Ott, who adopted one of those animals \u2014 a dog named Gracie Anne \u2014 described the conditions the animals were living in.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo air conditioning, bad ventilation, lots of fecal matter everywhere,\u201d Ott said.<\/p>\n