The owners of Green Acre Dog Boarding near Gilbert, where 21 dogs died of heat exhaustion a year ago, have pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty.
Jesse and Maleisa Hughes entered their not guilty pleas today in Maricopa County Superior Court. Each faces a total of 29 counts of felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty and of felony fraud.
Prosecutors in January dismissed initial charges against the couple. However, following a new review of evidence, a new indictment against the couple was issued last month.
Defense lawyers said the deaths were a tragic and freak accident and there was no evidence of criminal conduct.
