Omaha woman gets probation for trying to castrate dogs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An Omaha woman was sentenced Monday in connection with a botched attempt at neutering two dogs.

Jessica Charf, 46, got three years of probation for animal neglect/abandonment with serious injury.

Douglas County District Court Judge Jeffrey Lux also barred her from possessing pets from 10 years.

Charf could have received up to two years in prison.

SEE ALSO: Omaha woman pleads not guilty to animal cruelty in dog castration case

In May 2024, authorities said Charf took it upon herself to castrate two of her dogs because she couldn’t afford for a veterinarian to do it.

She looked up “banding” on the internet, according to court documents.

That’s a form of castration in which a band is placed around the scrotum, cutting off blood flow to the testicles, which eventually fall off.

SEE ALSO: Bond set at $25,000 for Omaha woman accused of trying to castrate dogs

It is a common practice on livestock, but the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it is not recommended on dogs.

It’s also not supposed to be used on animals younger than 4 months, the sheriff’s office said, but Charf’s dogs were about 7 months old.

The banding caused infections in both dogs, and they needed surgery.

SEE ALSO: Omaha woman accused of animal torture after trying to castrate two dogs

In June, Charf pleaded no contest after three other charges were dropped.