Suspected Animal Hoarder Faces Heavy Fines, Animal Cruelty Charge

GLADEWATER — More information comes out on a suspected animal hoarder who’s under arrest — and is reportedly still trying to collect cats and dogs. Linda Luker of Gladewater had to turn over her 64 dogs, six cats, and horse to the SPCA in May. She said she was running a rescue operation, but the animals were sick. Even after that, Upshur County Constable Jean Dolly says Luker tried to restock — and had taken in three dogs and a cat and asked residents for more. Dolly says he considers the whole situation very sad and feels sorry for Luker. He says she faces an animal cruelty charge. She’s also been ordered to pay $20,000 in fines — money that will be used to pay the SPCA for veterinary care.