A Quincy pet store owner arrested June 12 for misdemeanor cruelty to animals and other charges was assigned a public defender during a brief court hearing Thursday.

Authorities removed dogs, puppies, fish and assorted animals from Fish Depot in the Quincy Mall. Owner Talitha Baker, 28, was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals, two counts of owner's duties neglect and one count of failure to provide proper information when selling animals. She was released the day she was arrested after posting 10 percent of a $10,000 bond.

Adams County Judge Thomas Ortbal assigned Public Defender Ed Downey as Baker's attorney. She'll appear in court Tuesday to likely have a preliminary hearing scheduled.

Adams County animal warden Jenny Benjamin was assisted by the Adams County Sheriff's Department, Quincy Police Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources when making the arrest. They removed one puppy and 11 kittens from the store. Benjamin said plans were for the animals to be taken in by animal rescue groups.

IDNR officials removed snakes, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and fish, which will be taken to zoos. Benjamin said Baker signed an abandonment order, surrendering the animals to authorities.

Baker and her husband, Doug, started the business at 22nd and Broadway in January 2007. They moved to the mall six months later.

The misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in the Adams County Jail and fines.