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Case #11421 Rating: 2.9 out of 5
Horses abandoned
Manhattan, MT (US)Incident Date: Friday, Mar 23, 2007
County: Gallatin
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Betty Jo Brown
» Allen Brown - Alleged
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Manhattan couple faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly abandoning seven horses with nothing but moldy hay to eat.
Gallatin County sheriff's deputies reportedly discovered the starving horses on March 23 on property owned by Betty Jo and Allen Brown.
An affidavit filed in Justice Court Wednesday said the department's animal control officer found six of the horses weak and emaciated. One was in poor condition. They were living in small, dilapidated, manure-filled corrals and were in obvious pain, court records said.
Arrest warrants were issued Tuesday for the Browns. Betty Jo Brown faces seven felony counts of animal cruelty while Allen Brown faces seven misdemeanor counts. Betty Jo Brown had a prior conviction for animal cruelty in 2002.
Sheriff's Lt. Carolyn Robinson said the horses were taken to a safe location and that numerous people had called the sheriff's office offering foster care for the horses.
Two of the horses remained in guarded condition, but all were responding to treatment, she said Wednesday.
"We've had them all checked by a veterinarian today, and they're all starting a nutrition program," Robinson said. "There's a pretty good chance they'll all make it."
Case UpdatesThe woman found guilty on 7 counts of animal cruelty to horses learned her fate Thursday in Gallatin County District Court.
Betty Brown will not spend any time behind bars, as part of a sentencing handed down by judge Holly Brown. Technically, 14 years of jail time was fully suspended.
Brown is also not allowed to own livestock during that time period, and has to officially forfeit the horses over to the county.
She's also ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution.
Brown was charged last spring after seven horses belonging to her were found severely malnourished in Gallatin Gateway. This is the third time Brown has been convicted of an animal cruelty offense. | Source: Montana's News Station - April 3, 2008
Update posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 10:23PM |
References« MT State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Gallatin County, MT
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