Woman denies charges in animal cruelty case

A Creston woman is denying charges of animal cruelty after nearly 40 dogs were seized from her property last month.

Muriel Everly, 70, pleaded not guilty in Flathead District Court on Thursday to one count of felony aggravated animal cruelty and a subsequent count of animal cruelty.

Flathead County Sheriff’s officers responding to Everly’s residence found 37 dogs living in roughly four inches of their own feces. Two of the dogs had to be euthanized do to the severity of their health issues.

Everly relinquished her rights to the animals to the county.

If convicted, Everly faces a possible $1,000 fine and one year imprisonment, with graduating penalty enhancements for subsequent convictions.

A jury trial has been set for July 3.