GUSTAVUS - The woman at the center of a controversial animal sanctuary raided Feb. 12 by Animal Welfare League and sheriff's officials is reporting that several rings and other jewelry valued at $3,450 went missing during the raid.
Kathy Witzman, 58, of 5175 state Route 87, told sheriff's deputies this week that three diamond and sapphire rings are missing, along with a silver Indian choker necklace and a solid gold elephant with sapphire eyes. Prescription medication also is missing, she said.
According to the report, Witzman said she noticed that the items were missing Feb. 13, one day after she returned to the home where the raid occurred.
Witzman was arrested during the Feb. 12 raid and was released on bond later that day.
She told police her house was ''torn up'' and that various people were inside during the removal of about 200 animals. However, she did not file a police report immediately because she thought the items were just misplaced during the raid.
News reports describe the number of volunteers who assisted in the raid as ''an army.''
''(Witzman) stated that the jewelry box where the items were stored was open and all of the drawers were gone through,'' the report states.
''The place was turned upside down,'' Witzman said Thursday. ''Everything was in such turmoil. I found my mother's wallet thrown in the closet.''
She said she is again living at the home where the raid occurred.
During the raid, authorities removed 162 dogs, 18 cats, two horses and several geese, ducks and chickens. The animals are now in the care of volunteers from the Animal Welfare League at a Champion location.
Witzman was charged with misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and felony open dumping. She has pleaded innocent and is free on a personal recognizance bond. She is scheduled to appear in Eastern District Court again on March 4.
Thursday, Witzman said she still was doing an inventory of her property and plans to add more items to the list.
''I am still looking, and I am still going to add to it,'' she said.