Crime & Safety
Yazmer's Day in Court Postponed Again
Arraignment for Canton woman accused of animal cruelty rescheduled for Sept. 7
The arraignment of a Canton woman accused of animal cruelty in a widely publicized incident in July was postponed again Wednesday in Hartford Community Court.
Judge Raymond R. Norko continued the case against Jessica Yazmer, 28, of 14 Center Street to Sept. 7. Yazmer and her attorney, Jon L. Schoenhorn of Hartford, were not in court.
The postponement was the second for Yazmer, who was July 5 after Canton police allegedly found 40 mistreated dogs in her apartment.
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Yazmer was in court July 20 but received a continuance. According to a court affidavit, Schoenhorn said Yazmer was receiving medical treatment.
The incident involving Yazmer created local, state and national attention in animal rescue and adoption circles after officials said the dogs were discovered in life-threatening conditions.
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Yazmer, a 2001 Simsbury High School graduate, ran a Collinsville-based organization that rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the South, friends and officials said.
The case contributed to a fierce public debate as to regulate animal adoption services.
Supporters of the bill prevailed and say the new law, which takes effect Oct. 1, is designed to reduce the numbers of sick animals coming into the state for adoption. Some animal groups said the new law will hinder rescues by raising costs for adoption.
Among new regulations, animal importers must register locally and with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, pay a $100 state fee and provide a certificate of health for each imported animal.
Canton police were called to Yazmer’s apartment on a report of a dog fight. An initial examination by animal control officer Beverly LaPlume indicated the dogs were underfed and dehydrated. LaPlume said the conditions were the worst in her experience.
The Canton building department declared the apartment unfit for human occupancy on July 7.
Several of the dogs, including beagles, Australian shepherds and pit bulls, were treated for worms and other diseases. The animals survived, including four cats. The in Bloomfield was handling adoptions.
