PUEBLO COUNTY — The former veterinarian at the Pueblo Animal Shelter will be back in court next month for a setting hearing.
Joel Brubaker appeared in a Pueblo County Courtroom on Monday for an arraignment hearing.
The Pueblo Animal Shelter's former manager, Linda Mitchell and Brubaker are facing criminal charges, after a state investigation revealed numerous violations earlier this year . The investigation ultimately lead to the group "PAWS for Life" giving up control of the shelter.
Mitchell faces 10 different misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Brubaker is also facing ten misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Some of the charges are identical between the pair, but not all of them.
The maximum sentence, if convicted for Mitchell and Brubaker would be 18 months per count.
Under PAWS for Life leadership, 14 animals died. On a Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) inspection form, inspectors observed cases where multiple animals did not receive care in an adequate time frame.
The facility is now under the management of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
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