Gilbert couple accused in death of 21 dogs to go to trial

Published: Feb. 11, 2016 at 5:58 PM MST|Updated: Apr. 7, 2016 at 5:14 PM MST
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Maricopa County, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Two years ago, 21 dogs were found dead at a kennel in Gilbert.

The dogs' bodies were found in an enclosed room at Green Acre Dog Boarding, which was owned by Jesse Hughes, 32, and Maleisa Hughes, 45.

MOBILE USERS: Photos of the memorials held for the dogs are available HERE while the KOLD News 13 mugshots of the month are HERE.

On Tuesday it was announced the Hughes, who pleaded not guilty, will go on trial May 3 on 29 counts of animal cruelty and fraud.

Authorities said the dogs died of heat exhaustion. The couple claimed the dogs chewed through a wire, causing the air conditioning to go out, which eventually led to the dogs' deaths.

Investigators said they found no evidence of the dogs chewing through the power cord after the caretakers left the facility that night.

A veterinarian who performed necropsies on some of the dogs said they likely suffocated to death. Of the seven dogs necropsied, the vet said he found no evidence that any of the seven were electrocuted.

Authorities also said the Hughes lied to the dogs' owners and never called for a veterinarian or police after finding all the dogs dead.

The dogs died at the boarding facility while in the care of another couple and prosecutors originally dismissed the charges against the Hugheses in January 2015.

A new indictment was issued in May 2015 following a review of evidence in the case.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said as the business's owners, the Hugheses directed the caretakers on what to do and were chiefly responsible for the conditions in which the dogs were kept.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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