Man Accused of Starving Animals to Death Pleads Insanity

Brady Decker, 39, of Columbia, Maryland, is accused of animal cruelty after 40 dead animals including birds, cats, rabbits, a guinea pig and a snake, were found dead in the home he once shared with his wife, Elizabeth Lindenau. Lindenau, who was facing similar charges, was tried in August and September 2012 and found not guilty on all of the 69 counts of animal cruelty that had been brought against her.

Lindenau and Decker were reportedly running an animal rescue and rehabilitation non-profit called the Bailey Foundation that purported to find the animals new homes. For some reason that remains unclear, however, Decker and Lindenau moved out of the rental residence, but left the animals there. Witnesses testified that the animals were left loose in the vacant residence, which had had all of the utilities turned off, without supervision and without food or water. Lindenau testified that Decker lied to her about the dead animals.

During Lindenau’s trial Decker testified that he had been the one responsible for the animals, while Lindenau was the Executive Director only. Decker faces 72 counts of animal cruelty and 21 counts of mutilation after a necropsy determined that all 40 animals starved to death. He has pleaded not-guilty by reason of insanity explaining that once his favorite bird died, he “completely lost it” and could no longer face entering the residence. He would drive by, but not enter. He added that once the animals were discovered on January 16, 2012, he contemplated suicide and spent a week in Howard County General Hospital’s mental health ward. Decker’s trial is scheduled for April 2013.

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