Baileys Harbor woman avoids trial on animal abuse charges, pleads no contest
Deferred sentence agreement means treatment for Rory Walter instead of prison
BY RAMELLE BINTZ DOOR COUNTY ADVOCATE
A Baileys Harbor woman facing 16 felony and misdemeanor counts for mistreatment of animals at her private animal shelter in Door County pleaded no contest Wednesday morning to 11 charges, avoiding a jury trial.
Rory Walter, 58, owner of All Creatures Home for Animals, 7175 All Creatures Lane, Baileys Harbor, had pleaded not guilty with her Attorney Chirstopher Froelich on Jan. 9.
Walter changed her plea April 15 to no contest on six felony charges and five misdemeanors after reaching a plea agreement with assistant District Attorney Joan Korb, prosecutor for the state.
Judge D. Todd Ehlers withheld accepting the plea to allow Walter time to complete treatment for animal hoarding, effectively suspending prosecution for three years.
If Walter successfully completes treatment and complies with a dozen terms in the agreement, the felony charges will be converted from mistreatment of animals causing death to five misdemeanor violations of mistreating animals (intentional or negligent).
Walter was found guilty on five other animal mistreatment misdemeanor counts.
Three years of probation on those charges is recommended by both parties and will be decided at sentencing at 8:30 a.m. June 5.
A separate felony bail jumping charge may be amended to a misdemeanor if Walter pays restitution or takes a lien against her property before June 5. She was ordered to pay $11,322.32 in restitution to Door County and humane societies for the euthanization of animals and the care of the surviving animals, along with a district attorney surcharge as part of the plea agreement.
The criminal charges were filed last fall after horses were reported loose on Wisconsin 57 near her shelter. Further investigation by local and state officials found more than a 100 animals in poor condition. Ehlers reiterated the terms several times to Walter, stressing signing the document is an admission of guilt. “I will not be finding you guilty today, but if you violate this agreement, you will be found guilty, and you will spend time in prison,” Ehlers said… More
