Case Snapshot

Case ID: 487

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: horse

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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• Currently 3.33/5

Case #487 Rating: 3.3 out of 5

2 horses found rotting in barn
Akron, OH (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002
County: Summit

Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendant/Suspect: David Sutula

A Summit County horse owner faces jail time after horse carcasses were found rotting in his barn. Neighbors called police when a terrible odor blew through the trees and birds began circling over the barn.

Authorities found the rotting carcasses of two horses that may have starved to death.

Dave Sutula, the horses' owner, said he put the animals on a water diet to try and flush out infections in their stomachs.

Neighbors said if the horses couldn't be helped, he should have put them down humanely.

Sutula faced two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and was found guilty on May 10, 2002. He was sentenced to six months in jail - the maximum sentence for animal abuse.

References

• « OH State Animal Cruelty Map
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