Russell and Connie Lockwood pleaded guilty to one count related to animal cruelty.
Originally charged with seven counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals and failure to provide adequate sustenance under New York state agriculture and market laws, six charges were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea.
The one remaining charge, according to Tioga County Assistant District Attorney Kirk Martin, was in relation to one of two dead horses found on the property.
Part of the deal included in the guilty plea was the Lockwoods' agreement not to own any more large animals, to forfeit ownership of confiscated animals and to pay $2,000 restitution to Stray Haven for the costs incurred while the animals were in their care.
Whether or not conditions of the deal become binding will not be determined until sentencing, which is tentatively scheduled for May 17, 2004.
The initial charges stemmed from two visits Cartwright and other officials made to the Lockwood residence. First alerted to the situation in November 2003, Cartwright received numerous complaints about the condition of animals on the property. Upon visiting the residence at 335 Payne Marsh Road, officers found five horses living in substandard conditions, including one emaciated horse.
At that time, Cartwright gave the Lockwoods a notice to comply with existing animal care laws. On the last day they had to comply the emaciated horse, which the Lockwoods were supposed to take to a veterinarian, was found dead by officials, having been shot twice in the neck.
Following that incident, Cartwright, with the help of New York State Police and the Town of Richford Dog Control officer, drew up a search warrant that was executed Feb. 16, 2004.
Stray Haven investigators found that all the animals that had been present in November were gone, and that new animals -- including a different dead horse and another emaciated horse -- were at the residence. A veterinarian ruled that the horse died from starvation and emaciation. Chickens, cats and dogs were also on the property.
Authorities have confiscated all the animals and found homes for all but three cats. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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