As part of a deferred sentence agreement, two of the three women involved in an alleged dognapping incident have been ordered to perform 20 hours of community service at the Humane Society of Douglas County.
Lori Ann Carignan, 54, of Foxboro pleaded no contest May 11 in Douglas County Circuit Court to one count of party to dognapping. Shelley Jo McMinn, 53, of Duluth pleaded no contest to an identical charge Monday, June 1.
Both entered into a deferred conviction agreement with the court — Carignan for nine months, McMinn for one year. If they successfully abide by the agreement, which includes the 20 hours of community service, the charges would be amended to a disorderly conduct ordinance violation and the women would each pay a $330.50 fine.
A third woman, Joleen Marie Stuard, 39, of South Range, faces one count of dognapping in connection with the incident. Her next court appearance was set for June 12.
According to the criminal complaints, Stuard and McMinn were at a bar in the town of Parkland on Sept. 7 and saw a puppy running loose at a nearby property. Stuard caught the puppy and McMinn took a second puppy out of a closed kennel on the property. Two older dogs were also leashed outside.
ADVERTISEMENT
The women told Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies that based on the state of the puppies and the yard, they were convinced the animals were being neglected, and they each took one home. McMinn later gave the puppy she took to Carignan after she explained how she found it.
