A Goochland woman charged with 13 counts of inadequate animal care has had her trial date continued until July 12.

Pet Rescue Foundation operator Annette Thompson appeared with her attorney, Darvin Satterwhite, Monday in Goochland District Court.

But Judge Edward Carpenter granted the complainants a continuance after accepting Arlington attorney Heidi Meinzer as their representative.

All the charges facing Thompson are Class IV misdemeanors, the least serious, each punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Judge Carpenter explained that, according to a February ruling by the Virginia Attorney General, the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office not only is not obligated to prosecute such charges, but is prohibited from doing so.

“The Commonwealth’s Attorney cannot appear under this opinion,” said Judge Carpenter.

Thompson’s attorney Darvin Satterwhite opposed the continuance, saying he had subpoenaed witnesses and was ready to proceed with the trial.

After a brief recess, a new trial date was set for July 12 at 2 p.m., with attorney’s motions to be heard a half hour earlier.

An investigation by an ad hoc group of animal welfare advocates had led to two original charges being filed against Thompson on February 27, one a Class I misdemeanor charge in the death of a horse later determined to have been euthanized at the foundation.

That charge was reduced to a Class IV misdemeanor and then later dismissed when it was determined that the one year statute of limitations had run out, leaving one Class IV misdemeanor charge outstanding.

Satterwhite had asked for a continuance until May 24 after 13 new complaints were filed in early April.

“We honestly did not know what to expect,” said Suzanne Bell after the hearing.  Bell is the complainant in five of the charges.