A Windsor woman accused of deliberately setting fire to a barn at an animal sanctuary near Chatham has two court dates in October to move her matter forward.
A Windsor woman accused of deliberately setting fire to a barn at an animal sanctuary near Chatham has two court dates in October.
Christine Rettig, 32, faces two counts of arson for the July 1, 2020, fire at Charlotte’s Freedom Farm and another fire on a trailer at the property in June 2021.
She was initially hailed as a hero in the wake of the first fire for running into the burning barn to rescue trapped animals at the sanctuary.
She was celebrated for her quick decision to open the stall doors in the burning barn to free several animals inside. The animals that escaped included goats, sheep, dogs, two alpacas, a donkey and a six-month-old calf.
The fire still claimed the lives of a miniature pony, a dog and four cats while causing about $300,000 in damage.
Rettig also faces a charge of uttering threats after a threatening letter was reportedly found in the mailbox of Charlotte’s Freedom Farm on Oct. 2, 2020.
Her matter was up Wednesday where the court heard a Crown resolution meeting was held. The next step, the court heard, is to book a judicial pre-trial.
This hearing is now booked for Oct. 4, with Rettig returning to court on Oct. 19 for instructions following that proceeding.