TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Tallahassee pet rescue owner was sentenced to 30 days in jail for animal cruelty on Monday.<\/p>\n
Judy Du Bois\u2019 sentencing comes after being found guilty<\/a> of eight misdemeanor charges on November 19. <\/p>\n Du Bois, who has been in custody since being found guilty, will get credit to 15 days time served.<\/p>\n Her sentence will be followed by 60 days in a work camp.<\/p>\n On the confinement charges, Du Bois was sentenced to almost five years of probation. <\/p>\n As a part of her sentence, she cannot own or care for any animals. Her name will also be on the animal abuse registry. <\/p>\n During the sentencing, several people spoke on Du Bois\u2019 behalf, telling the judge how many animals she has rescued and found homes for over the years<\/p>\n One friend of Du Bois said that she loves animals.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not a threat to animals. The only thing she doesn\u2019t know how to do is say no to an animal that needs help, so she overloads herself,\u201d her friend said.<\/p>\n Du Bois tearfully apologized for her actions. <\/p>\n \u201cI just feel horrible about what happened,\u201d Du Bois said. \u201cI\u2019ve given 40 years of my life as a volunteer for animals. I didn\u2019t get paid for this job, I did it because I cared. I understand that my rescue days are over. I\u2019ve given up everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Du Bois\u2019 attorneys asked for time served, but if that\u2019s not an option, asked for one year of probation.<\/p>\n The judge upheld the charges against Du Bois, saying the state did not overcharge her. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be perfectly blunt. Since I was here to actually see the evidence that was introduced in trial, when it was introduced, I thought I was watching an ASPCA commercial. That\u2019s how bad it was,\u201d the judge said.<\/p>\n He also said that Du Bois\u2019 sentence would be harsher if not for her brother, who has special needs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to hold you accountable, but I\u2019m not going to create another victim with respect to your brother,\u201d he told her.<\/p>\n She was arrested in May 2024 after confining animals without sufficient food and water. Around 90 dogs were taken from her Sparrow Road property.<\/p>\n During Du Bois\u2019 trial in November, prosecutors highlighted the \u201cdirty and disgusting conditions\u201d<\/a> the dogs were in, telling the jury the animals were trying to dig through the wires of their enclosures.<\/p>\n Defense attorneys said Du Bois took care of the dogs well and that they were hydrated and fed. <\/p>\n Du Bois can appeal the guilty verdict and sentence within 30 days.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n