LEESBURG, Va. — The owner of a Middleburg dog boarding and breeding facility accused in a serious case of animal neglect faced a Loudoun County District Court judge Wednesday morning.
Loudoun County Animal Services investigated the White Columns Animal Training and Boarding Facility off Sam Fred Road in July. Officers reported finding five dead dogs on the property, along with 19 dogs and five cats kept in squalid and life-threatening conditions.
The court date was supposed to be a custody hearing — A procedure where the judge would decide what to do with the 24 animals seized from White Columns. Instead, the hearing shed light on the business' defense against the allegations and potential criminal charges that may come forward.
Patricia Mathis-Burby, the owner of White Columns, was represented by Ryan Campbell. Campbell immediately asked the judge for a continuance of the hearing to set up defense and witnesses ahead of anticipated criminal charges from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Campbell said that during July, Mathis-Burby had gotten sick and been in the hospital when the alleged neglect took place. He said Mathis-Burby has a sterling reputation as an animal trainer and argued someone else was caring for the animals while she was in the hospital.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney disagreed with the continuance request, adding that Animal Services has 24 animals in custody. Some of the animals were being boarded at White Columns and until custody is decided it is difficult to return those animals to their owners.
The District Court judge listened to both sides and agreed to a continuance until Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. in District Court. However, he allowed the Commonwealth to return one of the identified dogs to their owner without the ruling of custody.
Outside of court, WUSA9 tried to speak with Ms. Mathis Burby. She declined our questions and went back into the building.