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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #6757 Rating: 3.8 out of 5
Severely dehydrated, emaciated horse seized Papillion, NE (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jun 24, 2005 County: Sarpy
Disposition: Convicted Case Images: 3 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Kenneth J Iverson
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
On June 24th, 2005, a search warrant was executed at the property located at 9610 Lincoln Rd in Papillion, Nebraska. Officials discovered a horse severely malnourished and thin. The owner of the horse Kenneth J. Iverson stated that the horses name was "Cricket" and that the horse has always been thin, also stating that is the way old Arabians are suppose to look.
The horse was removed from the property and Iverson was cited for Cruelty to Animals along with vaccination required for 2 dogs that were on the property.
Cricket was transported to a Equine Vet who stated that the horse was severely dehydrated, TACC 1. The horse remains under care of the Nebraska Humane Society and improving. Iverson's court date is scheduled for January 9th, 2006.
Case UpdatesSarpy County Judge Max Kelch sentenced Kenneth Iverson to three weekends in jail, two years on probation and six months of regularly caring for animals in the Sarpy County 4-H program. A jury found Iverson, 49, guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Animal control officers had served a warrant at his home at 9610 Lincoln Road last June after someone complained about the horse's condition.
Kelch said he received letters from the public urging him to impose the maximum sentence of one year in jail. But he said jailing Iverson without educating him about the proper care of animals would risk a repeat offense. He ordered Iverson to work with the Sarpy County Extension Service, which oversees 4-H, to learn the proper way to care for animals. Mark Langan, vice president of field operations for the Nebraska Humane Society, said he was pleased by the sentence. "That is kind of a novel approach," Langan said. Langan said he hoped the sentence would send a message that the community takes animal abuse seriously. Iverson did not comment on the sentence.
His attorney, Pattie Bramhall, told the judge that after Iverson's father died last spring, Iverson began taking care of his mother and was having a difficult time. Bramhall asked the judge to consider Iverson's clean record. Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Greg Ariza said the horse, named Cricket, was within a couple of days of death from dehydration when taken from Iverson's care. The animal gained 200 to 300 pounds after it was seized and put on a regular diet, Ariza said. The animal, described as an Arabian-quarter horse cross, needed deworming medication and dental work before it could gain weight, he said. Tina Updegrove, field supervisor for the Nebraska Humane Society, called the recovery "unbelievable." "The future (of the horse) is very good," Updegrove said. "We'll put him up for adoption." Cricket is between 20 and 30 years old, she said. He would make a nice pet or a horse for trail rides, she said.
The judge ordered Iverson to reimburse the Humane Society for $1,500 in expenses for caring for Cricket. | Source: Omaha World Herald - March 8, 2006 Update posted on Apr 2, 2006 - 5:04PM |
A horse confiscated from a farm near Papillion last summer has a new home. The once malnourished horse named Cricket was taken from owner Kenneth Iverson, who was found guilty of misdemeanor animal neglect. The new owner has a number of animals, including a Brahma bull and a camel. Cricket's new owner said that Cricket will be well cared for and will never be hungry again. | Source: KETV News - March 13, 2006 Update posted on Mar 14, 2006 - 8:54PM |
A spokesperson for the Humane Socieity states that the seized horse is recovering extremely well and is happy and healthy today. The horse is in the care of the Humane Society following a court ordered presentance investigation. Iverson will be sentenced in March 2006.
The horse gained close to 300 pounds in a matter of 6 months after beginning to receive adequate food and water. He has also been dewormed and his teeth floated. | Source: NHS - January 2006 Update posted on Jan 19, 2006 - 1:10AM |
Iverson was found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Animal control officers said they are also monitoring some cattle Iverson has on his farm | Source: KETV News - January 11, 2006 Update posted on Jan 11, 2006 - 9:31PM |
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