Owner of Animal Sanctuary Sentenced for Fatal Hit & Run

sandiego6.com
By Lynn Stuart
April 6, 2010

VISTA - A well-known animal rights activist who pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run charge stemming from a 2007 accident in Escondido that left a 17-year-old girl dead was sentenced Monday to probation and a year in jail.

Deputy District Attorney Roy Lai had sought a four-year prison term for 55-year-old Tiffany St. Ives, who was sentenced by Vista Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein.

Escondido police said Marlene Resendiz was on the way to see her family when she was struck by a black Nissan Maxima while crossing Grand Avenue around 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2007.

After striking the teen, the driver continued about 400 feet before the victim was thrown off the car, Lai said. He said the motorist then sped away.

St. Ives was arrested four months ago, after one of her employees told police that she had asked him to help her dispose of her damaged car.

St. Ives is the owner of the Purple Cow animal rescue farm in Valley Center.

When St. Ives was in jail, volunteers worked hard to rescue the animals she took donations to care for.

"When we saw it, we knew it. We knew we could not walk away," says Lorri Houston of Animal Acres Sanctuary.

The animals, ranging from horses to chickens, were neglected. Many were underfed and had not had veterinary care for some time.

"There was a pot belly pig that is so overweight and was suffering from a hernia, the fat tissue is literally dragging on the ground. The pig takes two steps and falls down," says Houston.

Other animals suffered from mange and fly infestation.

Los Angeles based Animal Acres took all 150 of the animals, and had to build new barns to care for them. The group needed to raise about $62,000 to nurse the animals back to health and be available for adoption.

"I just wish none of them had to go through this," said volunteer Militta Duncan.