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Samantha Hayes Reporting Loving animals is usually not something that brings trouble, but a Herriman woman broke the law for owning too many dogs and went to jail. She talked with Eyewitness News tonight.
For Janet Lane, having to give up her dogs was like giving up children. She understands she broke the law, but finds it hard to believe her punishment for her four legged friends was just.
We all know doing things in excess can get you into trouble, like driving too fast or drinking too much. But as Janet Lane knows, it's having too many dogs that can put you behind bars.
Janet Lane: "It just was a difficult place for me to be. You lose all freedom, control, and it's appropriate for some people but inappropriate for me."
Lane spent two nights in jail; the first for owning more than two dogs and the second for neutering someone else's dog in 2002.
Sim Gill, Salt Lake City Prosecutor: "And the allegation is that she caused damage to the property of another with a loss to that person."
Janet Lane: "But never, never, never did I think I'd go to jail. I figured I'd get fined, probation and community service."
Judge Stephen Henroid even suggested out of frustration Lane should have shot the dogs to avoid more legal trouble. He apologized for that comment, but animal lovers are now on his case.
Cheryl Smith, Wasatch Humane: "Janet Lane is not the criminal here and it's a waste of taxpayers' time and resources to set her up as such."
Lane was working toward obtaining a kennel license so she could legally keep all her dogs.
Janet Lane: "I love animals. They are my children and I choose not to have the two legged ones, I choose the four legged ones. And they mean the world to me and they are treated wonderfully. They have the life unfortunately many children don't get."
Lane says ideally, dog ownership rules would be on a case by case basis. She says the thought of parting with some of her animals is extremely difficult for her right now.
