Animal control pledges cooperation

April 2, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - State troopers and Mat-Su Borough Animal Control and Regulation officers continue to investigate the death earlier this month of Nick, a three-year old Belgian draft horse, and his stable mate, Happy.

Animal control officers and a veterinarian visited the Vicki Way home on March 24 to follow up on reports of abuse or neglect of other animals.

&#8220They went out to do a status check, but no one was home,” Borough Director of Emergency Services Dennis Brodigan said. &#8220There was a dog on site that the vet checked out, but no other animals were seen at the home.”

Brodigan added that he was going to speak with animal control chief Dave Allison about visiting the home of abuse suspects Deborah Michelle Nardini and Gary Fank.

State Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson acknowledged the case still is under investigation, but he could not comment further until it is determined whether official charges should be filed.

&#8220The Troopers are moving forward with their investigation, which takes time,” Brodigan said. &#8220I just fear that if the case ever reaches the prosecutor's desk that it will get lost in the shuffle and nothing will happen after that.”

Brodigan said if nothing comes of the troopers' investigation, animal control would step back in and issue citations.

&#8220We're limited to acting under borough code,” Brodigan said. &#8220Animal control can't bring criminal charges, so all we can do is hand out fines. I hope it doesn't come to that.”

According to borough code, the maximum fine which animal control could levy against the former owners of the horses would be $300 for cruelty to animals.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.