Horse neglect
Tahlequah, OK (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005
County: Cherokee
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Regina Richards Bird
Cherokee County prosecutors charged a Welling woman with depriving two horses of food, water and shelter. A warrant was issued for Regina Richards Bird, 46, on the felony count of cruelty to animals. Authorities allege Bird, between July 12 and 22, deprived a gray gelding horse and bay gelding horse, or allowed them to be deprived, of food, drink and shelter while pastured at 23532 E. 830 Road in Welling without necessary foliage.
Court documents also allege Bird was given numerous opportunities to correct the conditions.
A probable cause affidavit states Investigator Harold Thomas noticed the horses July 12 while patrolling in the Etta Bend area. The sheriff's office received several calls about the conditions under which the animals were living. Thomas stopped, and no one was home at the time. The affidavit states Thomas checked the water and learned none was available for the horses. The temperature was in the 90s that day, and Thomas watered the animals.
Two days later, Thomas and Assistant District Attorney Nikki Baker Dotson checked the horses, and Dr. Sammy Pittman evaluated them. When Pittman and Thomas went to the property July 22, they found the horses in a state of malnutrition, and said they should be removed from the residence.
Cruelty to animals is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to five years. Baker Dotson is prosecuting the case.
Thomas and Pittman are listed as state witnesses against Bird. References
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