The woman Port St. Lucie police say abandoned five pit bulls – nicknamed the Fab 5 and rescued in early December – was expected in court on Thursday to enter a plea deal that would send her to the county jail for a year.
Christina Hand, 29, filed a plea of No Contest, according to court records. Under the plea deal, she is expected to serve one year in jail and another nine years on probation.
“I’m glad it’s coming to an end,” said David Lynch, a spokesman for the St. Lucie County Humane Society, which continues to house and care for the dogs, named Sissy, Nala, Danny, Chaos and Moose. “I hope sentencing is severe.” Lynch said his hope was that Hand would never again be allowed near animals.
The plea agreement does restrict Hand from owning any animals while on probation – and if she is able to satisfy the terms of her probation for four years, she can be released from the remainder of the term.
“This should be a wakeup for our community,” Lynch said, explaining that people need to take better care of their animals. “They’re living creatures, just like we are.”
Danny, Chaos and Moose are doing well, according to Lynch, though they’re not ready to be placed for adoption.
Sissy recently underwent a mastectomy to remove a chain of tumors in her mammary glands. “It’s still a concern,” Lynch said.
And Nala, unfortunately, has not responded well, according to Lynch. “She’s still traumatized,” he said. “We’re still working with her.”
It’s been a challenge to get her to put weight on, he added.
If the judge approves the plea deal Thursday, Hand will be required to undergo a mental health evaluation within one month of her release from jail. She will also have to undergo treatment if needed.
Hand will also have to make restitution, including a $4,000 donation to the St. Lucie County Humane Society, court costs, costs of the investigation, as well as the costs of prosecution, according to the court record.
If, however, the judge decides not to accept the plea deal, Hand can withdraw her plea of no contest. She would face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
“Five beautiful dogs that should be rolling around in the grass, being spoiled with toys and treats, and smothering their families in kisses were abandoned for over a month with little or no food and water,” Lynch initially posted to a GoFundMe page, taking up a collection to cover their mounting medical expenses.
The account has received $690 of the admittedly “low-ball estimate” $2,000 goal, Lynch told the St. Lucie Voice last December when the page was created.
“Despite the horrific conditions and abuse they lived through, each of them loves the warm embrace of a human companion,” the GoFundMe page states. “Some enjoy giving slobbery kisses and others are just big, goofy lap dogs. EACH and EVERY one of them deserve to spend the rest of their lives with a loving family. They have a long road ahead in their recovery, but with the help of our community we know they will back and better than ever.”
On Dec. 1, Hand was arrested following the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s investigation. Authorities responded to the home, located in the 4900 block of NW Ever Road, on Nov. 26, following a complaint from a neighbor.
Through Hand’s father, investigators were eventually able to interview Hand, who told them that she had moved out of the Ever Road house and into her grandmother’s house months ago, but that she always stopped by to take care of the dogs.
