Winger found guilty of animal cruelty

Matt Baide | Oct 21, 20210

Thelma Winger was found guilty on four counts of first-degree animal cruelty and one count of second-degree animal cruelty in Mason County Superior Court on Oct. 8.

The sentencing trial is scheduled for Nov. 18.

According to court documents, three first-degree counts are related to animal cruelty at dogs named Fred, Baby and Buddy. One first-degree count is related to a horse named Kissy and the second-degree count relates to a cat named Pearl.

On April 17, 2018, Mason County Sheriff Deputy Baty went to the Winger residence and believed Kissy was malnourished and Fred was looked skinny. The deputy had a conversation with the defendant’s husband, Paul, who told the deputy of financial hardships affecting the ability to care for the animals.

An organization reached out to try to help care for the animals and provide resources but was refused by Thelma.

On April 29, 2018, Fred, Baby, Buddy, Pearl and Kissy were removed from the residence under the direction of Mason County Sheriff’s Office and taken to VCA, Central Kitsap Animal Hospital. Fred, Baby and Buddy were extremely and noticeably emaciated, according to documents.

Fred was in the worse condition and was unable to walk and all three of the dogs were underweight and in poor body condition. The cause was starvation due to inadequate feeding and the dogs had not either been provided food or adequate food for several months. The dogs also suffered from dehydration, pressure sores and parasites.

After removal from Winger’s residence, the dogs recovered to normal body weight and good body condition.

The cat, Pearl, was also malnourished and in pain, and had several underlying medical conditions that had not been treated.

The horse, Kissy, had been noticeably emaciated with low muscle mass and weight loss, weighing only 650 pounds with a normal body weight of 950 pounds. It was depressed, lethargic, hungry and swayed back and forth on its feet. The condition was due to starvation and had other contributing factors, including parasites, rain rot and hoof issues.

After three months of appropriate refeeding, the horse gained more than 300 pounds and reached a normal weight.