A dog was sitting in the jury box (not a voting member), and might have prompted the defendant to plead guilty in this animal-cruelty trial.

Janet Lynne Hollins, 53, of Dale City, Virginia was convicted in October of inadequate care of animals — reduced from animal cruelty — after police seized 27 dogs and 50 cats from her small townhouse.

Hollins appealed that conviction, and her new trial on animal cruelty charges began Monday.

During jury selection, a woman with a service dog was picked to serve on the jury. As testimony got under way, Hollins “suddenly” pleaded guilty to 40 counts of animal cruelty.

Hollins then received probation and agreed to leave the county.

According to court documents, a witness contacted police on Aug. 4, 2010 and said that Hollins had over 70 animals in her townhouse and “their living conditions were unsanitary.”

When authorities searched the home they found more than 18 dogs running around the house, nine dogs in cages in the basement and 50 cats running throughout the house, according to the search warrant affidavit.

At the earlier trial, defense attorneys argued that Hollins, who operated an animal rescue group, Janet’s Rescues and Placements, took good care of the animals.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files