Three plead guilty to animal cruelty in Round Hill

Three members of a now-defunct animal rescue service in Round Hill pleaded guilty to multiple counts of animal cruelty Sept. 23 in Loudoun County Circuit Court. The case drew regional attention due to the severe neglect and abuse of the animals involved.

Kimberly Hall, 52, Alex Hall, 22, and Nicole Metz, 52, were charged in operating Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue in the 35000 block of Dundee Court in the Highlands at Round Hill neighborhood. Ms. Hall and Metz were neighbors and friends.

The Loudoun County Department of Animal Services conducted an investigation in February and Marsh 2023, after it received information about the condition of animals inside Hall's home. The agency seized 102 dogs, cats and rabbits from the home, which was operating as one of the rescue's operation sites.

Out of respect for the animals involved, pictures of them will not be published.

Ms. Hall pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty and in exchange the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office opted not to prosecute her seven additional charges.

Ms. Hall's son, Alex Hall, pleaded guilty to three counts and had six remaining charges dropped.

Metz pleaded guilty to six counts and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office opted not to pursue the remaining seven animal cruelty charges or the remaining charge of obstructing justice.

Each charge carries a sentence of up to 12 months in jail and fines of up to $2,500. The three will return to Circuit Court on Oct. 24 for sentencing.

Hall sold her home on May 13, 2023 for $1.15 million three months after animals were seized from her home. Metz also put her house on the market as of Nov. 21, 2023. It was originally listed for $4 million by Debbie Henry with Samson Properties, the same realtor who sold Hall’s home.

It has not sold and is now listed for $2.67 million: https://www.zillow.com/homedet...

A YouTube video of the house where the pets were contained shows an enormous, immaculate home on several acres. Neighbors say they cannot understand the contrast between what publicly appears to be a pristine, well maintained, affluent home and the deplorable conditions the animals were subjected to inside those homes.

"It's baffling," a neighbor said.

Companion article here: https://blueridgeleader.com/ch...