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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #13068 Rating: 2.9 out of 5
Farmed animal neglect
Portneuf, ID (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Feb 2, 2008
County: Bannock
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Shane Haggard
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
In northern Bannock County, there's a rather large animal investigation going on dealing with animal abuse and cruelty. The Bannock County Sheriff's Office responded to a phone call and found animals were being abused. The Portneuf Animal Welfare Society, PAWS, is taking care of the animals. They're receiving water and food on a regular basis.
"The abuse case that we're working on has about 40 head of horses. 30-40 head of horses. We have around 15 head of livestock that includes bulls, steers and some calves," said Jo Lynn Anderson, Portneuf Animal Welfare Society.
PAWS is asking for donations of small bails of hay. While they say they've already received a lot of hay, there's also a need for more. If you would like to donation to PAWS, you can contact the Bannock County Sheriff's Office. The animal abuse case is still being investigated.
Case UpdatesThe local man charged with two counts of animal cruelty was sentenced Tuesday afternoon. Haggard pled guilty as charged to an Alford plea, which means admitting there's enough evidence to convict you of a crime, but not saying he's guilty.
However, the judge said he doesn't want any other animals to be hurt in a similar way. Shane Haggard faces a $1,000 dollar fine on each count, which will be suspended. Judge Carnaroli sentenced Haggard to six months in jail on each count, all suspended and 2 years probation on each count, which will run consecutively.
The judge said if Haggard doesn't comply with probation, he will have to forfeit all his animals. Haggard needs to downsize his herd within 90 days to only 5 animals for his family members. He'll have to butcher or sell the 7 cows he owns, along with selling his other 27 horses. The judge said he can't own anymore livestock than those five animals for the next four years.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a $5,000 fine and 180 days in jail on each count. Furthermore, there would be two years probation on each count and the chance of taking away the animals.
Bannock County Sheriff Deputies cited Haggard on January 31st, 2008 at 3 pm on Routh 2 North. Deputies took numerous pictures of the farm and animals, many of which looked emaciated .
The State recommended taking the animals from the defendant, along with four years of probation (2 years for each count), 180 days in jail for each charge and a total of $2,000 in fines.
The Defense recommended probation and a $250 fine on each count. | Source: Local 8 News - April 1, 2008
Update posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 12:26PM |
About 60 horses, cattle, pigs ducks and geese that were found sick and Hungary by eastern Idaho authorities earlier this month are back in the care of their original owner.
The Bannock County Sheriff Department had considered confiscating the animals from Fort Hall-area rancher Shane Haggard. But Capt. Mike Sanders says the animals are on the mend, Haggard is taking responsibility and deputies are making daily checks at the ranch.
During a Feb. 2 investigation, officials discovered more than a dozen dead animals and dozens more that were sick or starving. Haggard has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
Since then, the animals have been nursed back to health thanks to donations of feed and hay. | Source: Local News 8 - Feb 14, 2008
Update posted on Feb 14, 2008 - 11:24PM |
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