Report: Husband Says Dead Animals His Fault

Brady Decker, 39, of Columbia, said in Howard County Circuit Court that the death of 40 animals in a Columbia townhouse in January was his fault because he was responsible for feeding them, according to an article on Explore Howard.

The testimony marks a significant turn in the case as his wife, Elizabeth Martha Lindenau, 40, is currently on trial for 60 counts of animal cruelty.

Lindenau, a former National Aquarium employee who was most recently associated with the Bailey Foundation, which rescues birds, has maintained her husband was responsible for the animals.

Decker, who testified in court on Friday, said he had moved out of the townhouse, located on the 9600 block of Lambeth Court, in the spring of 2011, but was shuttling back and forth to feed the animals, according to the article.

He said he couldn't bring himself to enter the house or tell his wife about the animals after a favorite Cockatoo had died inside the townhouse, according to Explore Howard.

Lindenau's trial is expected to continue on Tuesday. The prosecution has already rested its case, according to Wayne Kirwan, a spokesperson for the Howard County state's attorney's office.

Decker was indicted on 69 charges of animal cruelty, neglect and abuse in July.

In January, officials discovered 19 dead animals in a freezer, including birds, rabbits, a guinea pig and a hermit crab, according to police. Officers found another 21 dead animals, including birds, cats, rabbits and a snake, in cages and other areas of the home.

Only four animals were found alive in the house, according to police.

See related links:

• Columbia Dead Animal Case Goes to Trial

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