Woman charged with animal cruelty to be evaluated

ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - The family of an Elkmont woman charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty has sent her to a treatment facility for a psychological evaluation.

Limestone County District Attorney Kristi Valls on Wednesday said the state agreed with the action by 63-year-old Nannie Johnson's family.

Sheriff's department officials found 42 dead dogs in freezers and one dead in a kennel earlier this month at a puppy mill run by Johnson.

Authorities rescued 29 dogs, three of which have since died because they were malnourished.

Johnson's arraignment is set for May 9, but Valls said the date is contingent on the completion of her psychological evaluation.

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