Middleburg woman convicted on eight counts of animal cruelty

A Middleburg woman has been convicted on eight counts of animal cruelty after a three-day jury trial in Loudoun County Circuit Court, prosecuted by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Loudoun County.

Patricia-Mathis Burby, 62, was found guilty Feb. 4, 2025, of seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and one count of felony animal cruelty in relation to a cat and several dogs in her care.

On July 25, 2024, Loudoun County Animal Services began an investigation into Mathis- Burby after receiving a call about the welfare of the pets in the home. The investigation determined that Mathis-Burby’s residence was serving as a foster home for an unregistered “animal rescue” and providing training and boarding services from her home.

LCAS investigators observed the residence had a layer of feces and wood shavings on the floor so
deep that the dogs confined to crates had to be dug out by officers in order to be removed. Nineteen
dogs and six cats were removed from the home along with the remains of five deceased dogs. 
 
Mathis-Burby was convicted of seven Class 1 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for depriving a cat of emergency veterinary care after being attacked by dogs and for depriving necessary food and/or water to six dogs; and one count of Class 6 felony animal cruelty, for the death of an Australian shepherd.

LCAS urges pet owners and adopters to ensure that animal boarding operations, animal rescues and dog trainers are credentialed and licensed appropriately before utilizing these services. LCAS offers
information about licensed pet dealers and registered rescue organizations on the Loudoun County government website.

Mathis-Burby is scheduled to be sentenced May 7, at 1 p.m. in Loudoun Circuit Court. A Class 6 felony conviction carries penalties of a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or more than five years, or confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction carries a penalty of confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. A conviction of animal cruelty may also result in a ban on companion animal ownership in the Commonwealth of Virginia.