Hadley woman sentenced to probation, forbidden from caring for animals, in animal cruelty case

BELCHERTOWN – A Hadley woman was sentenced by a Hampshire Superior Court judge to five years of probation and prohibited from possessing or working with livestock after she pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty related to animals in her care that were so emaciated, they had to be euthanized.
Acting on several tips in March of 2022, animal welfare professionals investigated Shannon Rice-Nichols for allegedly neglecting 35 animals, including cows and goats. As the result of their conditions, one cow and two goats had to be euthanized. The Massachusetts Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found new homes through adoption for eight head of Kerry cattle, a Holstein cow and 22 goats.
As part of a plea agreement jointly recommended by Northwestern Assistant District Attorneys Erin Aiello and Matthew Russo and defense attorney Zoe Zeichner, and accepted by Hampshire Superior Court Judge Edward McDonough, the Commonwealth dropped the remaining 32 charges against Rice-Nicols.
Nichols had been charged following an investigation into neglect and malnourishment of goats and cows at an Amherst farm where she had been boarding her animals.
“This case involved egregious neglect and maltreatment that resulted in extreme animal suffering. We believe the sentence imposed by the Court was justified,” said Aiello. “When there is a concern of animal neglect, we work closely with animal protection agencies to assist individuals in accessing resources in an effort to avoid unnecessary criminal prosecution. But occasionally there are cases, like this one, for which criminal prosecution is appropriate.”
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office worked closely with the MSPCA, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and local Animal Control Officers on the case, as it does with other cases involving mistreatment of animals.
“Community members should know that animal welfare professionals are available to work with anyone who may be struggling to properly care for their animals,” said Aiello. “This kind of unnecessary suffering should not be allowed to happen. If anyone needs help with animals in their care they can always reach out to the MSPCA or local animal control officers to find available resources.”
Formatted:
This case was investigated by Amherst Police, the MSPCA and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources’ Division of Animal Health conducted the investigation.
The plea agreement also calls for Rice-Nichols to take an online curriculum about proper animal care.
Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime.
All defendants