Hanson was convicted of those charges following trial in early 2006. She then fled from Arkansas prior to her sentencing.

Law officers finally arrested Hanson last July. She was living in Vermont under a false name.

Following her protracted efforts to avoid being extradited to Arkansas, Hanson was finally returned to Baxter County on Sept. 25. She's been in the Baxter County jail awaiting sentencing since then, as well as being held on a charge of failure to appear, for which she has yet to be tried.

Gearhart heard testimony on Wednesday from several witnesses relating to the sentencing of Hanson, including testimony on the condition of the animals that authorities found at the EDNAH (Every Dog Needs a Home) compound, as well as extensive testimony as to the amount of restitution that is owed to the Humane Society of the United States.

The Humane Society spent a lot of money to care for all animals found at Hanson's EDNAH compound near Gamaliel, Ark., following its seizure by the Baxter County Sheriff's Department in late 2005 during the execution of a search warrant. The State Director of Arkansas for the U. S. Humane Society testified that in excess of $100,000 was spent by that organization for the care and maintenance of the animals, as well as their subsequent placement, over a period of several weeks following Hanson's arrest.

Hanson also testified in her own behalf during the sentencing hearing.

Following testimony, Gearhart ordered Hanson to pay a fine of $500 and court costs on each of the 20 charges. Gearhart said the conditions of the animals and the EDNAH compound were appalling. He ordered Hanson to serve the maximum sentence in the county jail, which under Arkansas law is one year, but said he feels the sentence is insufficient and should be longer.

Hanson will be given credit for the 41 days she has already been held in custody. In addition to the jail sentence, fines, and court costs, Tammy Hanson was ordered to pay restitution to the Humane Society of the United States in the amount of $5,000, which is the maximum amount of restitution that the judge can order under Arkansas Law.

After serving her jail sentence, Hanson will be on supervised probation. After her release from jail, Gearhart ordered Hanson to not own, possess, or be in contact with any animal.

Gearhart found Hanson is a flight risk and ordered an appeal bond of $5,000 cash only on each of the 20 counts, thereby requiring her to post an aggregate $100,000 cash bond in order to appeal her convictions and sentencing to Baxter County Circuit Court. Should Hanson appeal, all further orders concerning her bond and continued custody would be at the discretion of a circuit judge.

In addition to the 20 counts on which she was convicted and sentenced, Hanson continues to await trial on seven additional misdemeanor charges, including the failure to appear in court charge. Gearhart set bond at an additional $5,000 cash on each of these seven charges, thereby requiring her to post an additional aggregate $35,000 cash bond on those pre-trial charges.

Hanson's husband, William Hanson, continues to be in jail in Missouri on a Baxter County warrant for failure to appear in court. He continues to fight extradition to Arkansas.