Images for this Case
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #3426 Rating: 3.7 out of 5
Horse neglect - 4 horses
Benton, AR (US)Incident Date: Friday, Apr 30, 2004
County: Saline
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Michael Sawyer
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Benton man charged with animal cruelty after his four horses were found emaciated in late May was sentenced to one year in the Saline County Detention Facility. Michael Sawyer also received $4,440 in fines.
Sawyer, 43, was convicted in Benton District Judge Mike Robinson's courtroom of four counts of cruelty to animals for the severe neglect of his two mares and two colts.
When the horses were found by authorities, their hooves were bleeding and their bones were protruding. Prosecuting Attorney Robert Herzfeld said the horses could barely walk when investigators found them after Sawyer's landlord reported the mistreatment.
The horses were remanded to the custody of the Pulaski County Humane Society, which was active in the investigation and has been caring for the horses for the past six months since Sawyer was arrested on the charges.
The horses were found at 1903 Hickory Drive, the property Sawyer was renting, with no grass and little hay around them.
Kay Jordan, a certified animal cruelty investigator, said one of the mares' feet was so overgrown that if the Sheriff's Department and Humane Society had not intervened, the mare would not have been able to stand and feed her colt.
According to a report by veterinarian Steven Eubanks, the Arabian horses had numerous infections, were severely malnourished and had had wholly inadequate care of their hooves for many years.
Jordan, noting that she was "thrilled" about the conviction, said the horses are "doing great. They look good."
The two colts, Biscuit and Cornbread, and one mare, Little Mama, still are in Jordan's care.
The other mare, Molly, is being fostered by Becky Shoemaker. Jordan said Shoemaker's daughter is learning to ride Molly and that she now is a healthy horse.
Jordan added that Sawyer's sentence was "the biggest I've seen."
Herzfeld said that he is "obviously very pleased with the verdict."
"Sawyer's action and inaction in his neglect of the animals was despicable," he noted.
The prosecutor added that he appreciates Robinson "taking the hard line and agreeing with our sentencing recommendation."
Herzfeld praised the Humane Society; Saline County sheriff's deputies; his deputy prosecutor, Bobby McCallister; and case coordinator Mary Lambert for their work on the case.
"This prosecution was truly a team effort, and I'm proud of how we all came together to get this very tough conviction and sentence," Herzfeld said.
The prosecutor noted that under Arkansas law, Sawyer has 30 days to file an appeal of his conviction and request a new trial in Saline County Circuit Court.
Case Updates| Sawyer, charged with animal cruelty after his four horses were found emaciated in late May was recently sentenced to one year and received $4,440 in fines in the Saline County Detention Facility by Benton District Judge Mike Robinson's courtroom of four counts of cruelty to animals for the severe neglect of his two mares and two colts. | Source: Benton Courier - Dec. 17, 2004
Update posted on Dec 25, 2004 - 8:00AM |
References
« More cases in Saline County, AR
|
