Franklin County Pet Owner Charged With Animal Abuse

The owner of a St. Clair pet therapy ranch on Friday was charged with animal abuse, weeks after nearly four dozen animals were rescued from freezing temperatures.

Nisha Chand, operator of Goat and Bunny Ranch Pet Therapy, faces four counts of animal abuse and one count of animal neglect.

First responders and animal rescuers on Jan. 14 seized 19 dogs, 18 goats, three turkeys, two chickens, one duck, one rabbit, one cow and a monkey from the property in the 800 block of Pickles Ford Road.

Some animals were found deceased as a result of being without shelter in subzero temperatures.

A deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Chand’s residence for animal abuse and neglect. 

Chand was living in a camper, where the deputy located a deceased dog. 

She has been without electric and contacted the sheriff’s office several times about it, according to the probable cause statement. 

Chand’s health has declined, leaving her unable to take care of the animals that were in her care.

On her Facebook page, Chand describes herself as a doctor holding advanced degrees in veterinary science, animal assisted therapy and naturopathic medicine. She also says that she is deaf.