A Coachella woman suspected of dumping seven newborn puppies in a trash bin appeared Wednesday before a judge, who scheduled a July 24 date for a preliminary hearing that will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Deborah Sue Culwell, 54, also briefly appeared in court Monday as well as last Thursday, June 27, when a judge increased her bail -- at the request of prosecutors -- from $10,000 to $50,000. Culwell has remained in custody since that appearance, court records show.
Her bail will also be discussed at the July 24 hearing. Defense attorney Joseph Cavanaugh previously argued his client's bail increase was due to public pressure.
Culwell is accused of leaving a litter of 3-day-old puppies in a trash bin outside a Napa Auto Parts store at 49251 Grapefruit Blvd. on April 18. Security surveillance video from the location allegedly links her to the crime.
The video shows a woman with a ponytail in a short skirt exiting a Jeep with a plastic bag just after 1 p.m. and depositing the sealed bag in the bin, according to county Department of Animal Services spokesman John Welsh. A passerby rummaged through the bin about 15 minutes later and found the bag full of squealing puppies, believed to be terrier mixes, he said.
The passerby, identified only as "John," took the puppies into the air-conditioned store. With the temperature climbing above 90 degrees, Welsh said he doubted the newborns would have survived very long in the bin.
One of the animals, described as the runt of the litter, died days later.
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Culwell was taken into custody April 22 after animal control officers served an arrest warrant at her Third Street residence and impounded 38 canines found on the property. Culwell subsequently surrendered ownership of the animals, which appeared to be terrier mixes ranging from 1 to 5 years old.
If convicted of seven felony animal cruelty counts, Culwell could face up to six years in jail, according to District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall. Welsh acknowledged, however, that jail time in an animal cruelty case is rare, with most offenders receiving probation and fines.
