Debra Catledge's trial for animal cruelty begins in Colbert County

COLBERT CO., Alabama (WAFF) – After jury selection, a high-profile animal cruelty case is set to begin.

Debra Catledge is facing multiple felonies and misdemeanors after officials found more than two dozen dead horses on her property.

Catledge and her attorney asked the judge to bar prosecutors from using evidence collected during a search of her property, saying the search warrant used was invalid.

However, the judge twice ruled that the prosecutor could still use all the evidence found on Catledge's property. The morning before her trial began, she asked the judge to reconsider his initial decision to use the evidence.

Officials found approximately 29 dead horses, 45 malnourished dogs, and several other horses that were alive but needed immediate medical attention.

Several witnesses who testified at pretrial hearings said the animals on the property needed to be helped as soon as possible.

Catledge's attorney argued that the evidence found in the search warrant should not be used because it was signed by the director of animal control, not a sworn deputy sheriff.

He is a reserve deputy but not certified.

The search warrant was signed by a judge and the officers reviewed it. Therefore, the judge ruled that the search of her property was done in good faith.

Opening statements begin on Tuesday.

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