Kimberly Maggio Animal Abuse Trial Now Set for September 13, at 9 a.m.

Frazier Park (Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, 11 p.m.)—The case of Kimberly Anne Maggio, 49 for 23 felony charges of animal abuse, is now set for Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 at 9 a.m. in Bakersfield in the Metro Division of Superior Court (at 1415 Truxton Avenue).

Frazier Park (Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, 10:41 p.m.)—A jury trial for Kimberly Anne Maggio, 49 of Frazier Park, charged with 23 counts of animal cruelty, is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. in the Metro Division of Superior Court (at 1415 Truxton Avenue) in Bakersfield.

Maggio was arrested on February 8, 2010 during foreclosure on her Elm Street home in Frazier Park. Twelve cats, seven dogs and a rat were removed from the home. At the scene, county workers said the animals were living in "deplorable conditions."  Maggio disputes that. She said she was rescuing animals and giving them a safe place to live, but that she had been away from the home for two days because of an event that ended in an earlier arrest and incarceration.

People who fostered the animals which were removed from the home, including several chihuahuas seen by this reporter, claim that some animals were not allowed to leave their cages and were abused. Joy Ray, among others, claimed that Maggio was "selling" animals, rather than rescuing them. Others claim they were pleased with the adoptions they arranged with her. The judge set bail at $40,000.—P. Hedlund

This is part of the August 27, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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