The Clark County grand jury indicted Mary Jo Frazier, the city’s former animal control supervisor, on two felony counts of cruelty to animals today, according to the district attorney’s office.
The first count is for the unjustifiable euthanization of a male Dachshund named Oscar, who belonged to her ex-husband, Jeffrey Frazier, and the other is for failing to provide adequate food, medical care and/or pain management to a pit bull puppy named Lotus.
“We are looking forward to finally seeking justice on these charges,” said Amy Ferreira, chief deputy district attorney in charge of animal cruelty cases. “Sadly, Lotus was in Ms. Frazier’s care because she had already been severely abused.”
Each count carries a possible penalty of one to four years in prison.
“Animal cruelty of any type is unacceptable,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. “This case is especially unsettling because the defendant was a person trusted by our community to treat all animals in her care humanely. Ms. Frazier violated her duty when it came to Oscar and Lotus.”
According to the district attorney’s office, the charges brought against Frazier “are based on the information our office has received. Should there be additional information submitted we will review for additional charges.”
The case against Frazier was submitted to the district attorney’s office Dec. 16 seeking 37 felony counts of animal cruelty.
This is a developing story.
Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.