'Deplorable Conditions,' Cruelty Charges Filed Against Animal Rescue Staff: Authorities

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Several staff members from the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue face criminal charges after authorities found dogs and cats in "deplorable conditions," Loudoun County Animal Services said.

Loudoun County officials took custody of 102 dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals in the course of their investigation. "Nearly all the animals have since been placed," county officials said in a news release.

Authorities identified the charged staff members as Nicole Metz, Kimberly Hall, and Alex Hall.

Metz, the rescue's executive director, is charged with seven counts of animal cruelty, two counts of failure to acquire certificate of veterinary inspection, one count of allowing an animal with a contagious disease to roam, and one count of obstructing justice.

Kimberly Hall was the director of operations for the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue, which was also known as the Paw & Hoof Animal Rescue. She is charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and two counts of failure to acquire a certificate of veterinary inspection.

Alex Hall, the organization's former director of marketing, was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty.

Metz and the Halls could all face up to eight years in prison if convicted of all charges, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Authorities opened an investigation into the animal rescue in February 2023. Police officers said they were at the Round Hill home for an unrelated call when they saw "a large number of animals living in deplorable conditions and alerted LCAS," according to a news release.

Humane law enforcement officers visited the home and found 42 animals on the property that were in danger due to improper care and facilities, authorities said.

"This case is particularly disturbing because the individuals involved are the very people who were entrusted by overwhelmed pet owners and rural shelters to look out for the welfare of animals,” Chief of Humane Law Enforcement Chris Brosan said in a news release. “Our investigation shows that they knowingly kept the animals in filthy conditions and allowed their health to suffer, while continuing to acquire more animals."

Authorities said the Halls' home acted as an operations site for the animal rescue. When investigators visited the home, the floors were covered in feces and urine. They also found that animals were stored in crates, with some crates being stacked on top of each other.

"The officers’ investigation expanded to Metz’s home, which is located next door," authorities said. "Conditions in both locations were found to be unsanitary, hazardous and consistent with hoarding."

Investigators believe Metz and the Halls brought animals from out-of-state shelters without proper documentation, including cats with contagious diseases and reactive dogs.

The animal rescue staff falsely claimed to have found the out-of-state animals as strays, according to text messages uncovered during the investigation.

"These communications have prompted a search for the whereabouts of approximately 100 additional animals that were received by the rescue from various sources and are presently unknown," Loudoun County Animal Services said. "Some are presumed to be buried in the suspects’ yards based on their communications and the execution of additional search warrants by officers that substantiated this finding."

Anyone with concerns about an animal's welfare in Loudoun County can contact animal services at 703-777-0406. A 24/7 hotline is available by calling the sheriff's office at 703-777-1021.