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Owner tries to get deal
Web posted Monday, March 8, 2004
By Greg Rickabaugh and Walter C. Jones
| Staff Writers
The owner of an Augusta pet store where animals were allegedly abused is seeking a deal with the state Department of Agriculture over his dealer license and possible fines.
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The owner, Larry Wendt, began negotiations Monday when he arrived for a scheduled public hearing. By striking an agreement on the department's administrative punishment, he would avoid giving sworn testimony that could be used in a criminal case pending in Richmond County Magistrate Court.
Magistrate court officials released the names of those charged with animal cruelty Monday. They include Mr. Wendt and two employees, Dawn L. Irons and Donna Leigh Stover.
A March 25 court date is set.
A former employee of the Augusta Mall store accused Mr. Wendt's manager of withholding medication from animals and of killing a sick dog by putting it in a plastic bag and beating it against concrete.
The Agriculture Department can revoke the dealer license, impose fines of $1,000 per violation or place restrictions on the business.
Mr. Wendt's attorney is negotiating with the staff of the state Law Department, which represents the Agriculture Department.
Any resulting order would be signed by Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin.
Mr. Wendt applied for his license as a franchise of Petland Inc., a national chain based in Ohio.
Petland withdrew its franchise last week after the allegations became public. That move puts Mr. Wendt's dealer license in jeopardy.
EMPLOYEES CHARGED
Three employees were charged Wednesday with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Larry Harland Wendt, 59, the owner/president of Wendtís Pets, is accused of failing to provide proper care to a Chihuahua in his custody.
Dawn L. Irons, 22, is accused of causing the unjustified death, suffering or physical pain to a Chihuahua puppy housed at the former Petland store.
Donna Leigh Stover, 43, is accused of ordering employees to withhold food and water from a Chihuahua in her care.
Reach Greg Rickabaugh or Walter C. Jones at (706) 724-0851.
--From the Tuesday, March 9, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle
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