| Yerington Animal Abuse Case Goes To Court By Shilrey Sepulveda On June 1, 1998 Lyon County Animal Control Officers in Yerington, NV seized 3 ostriches, 15 llamas, 4 miniature horse stallions, 5 miniature horse geldings and 33 mares, some with foals at their sides or that were in foal - in varying stages of pregnancy. On June 17, 1998, 9 citations for the different degrees of cruelty, neglect and abuse were issued. Another citation was for selling diseased animals. The last charge was for illegally transporting the miniature horses into Nevada without benefit of health certificates or Coggins Tests. When I saw the animals in July, they still looked very poor as most starved animals do when they have only been fed for six weeks after months and maybe years of not enough food. It takes a long time and a lot of calories and care to bring them back. The three men charged in these crimes were brought to trial on August 10, 1998. The trial was held in Mason Valley Justice Court in Yerington, Nevada. The Honorable Dennis T. Milligan sat in the seat of judgement As I entered the court in the role of spectator, I was surprised to see every seat filled but two. I grabbed one of the seats and one of the defendants grabbed the other. The District Attorney was at one table, and the principle defendant along with his attorney at the other. Against the wall were three animal control officers and the last of the defendants. The supervising animal control officer, Mike Wellington, sat with the DA. The DA turned and surveyed the crowd. When he asked us who was here for the animal abuse case, every person in the room raised their hands. He looked surprised! I sure was, and a little leery, too. I didn't know if I was sitting between friend or foe, not being from around there. I made a solemn promise not to mutter under my breath, as I have a bad habit of doing! As the trial got under way, charges were presented and charges were refuted. An agreement had been reached on part of the charges prior to the hearing, so it got confusing for not only the spectators but everyone else, too. As things were sorted out, most of the charges were dropped and he pleaded guilty to three counts of neglect. He was fined and he forfeited all the horses, llamas and ostriches. He was ordered NOT to own another animal in the state of Nevada for two years nor to have his agent seek to buy the animals back at the auction of the animals for their board bills. During the recess outside, it was interesting to hear everyone talking about what was going on inside. The general consensus was that he should to jail time but as it ended up he got two years, suspended. Every one I have talked to has stated that the punishment was not severe enough. I always point out that I know of another case where the people can't have animals for two years but they gave them their children back after neglecting them horribly, too. We all need to get in touch with our law makers and have them
toughen up the laws of neglect and abuse of the defenseless animals and children. |