AR-News: (ID - US) Man on trial for neglecting/abusing hundreds of animals

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

ANIMAL CRUELTY TRIAL
Apr 27, 2004

 

A man is on trial for allegedly mistreating hundreds of animals he owned, allowing dozens of sheep to die from hunger and illness.

Dubois resident Dick Burke is on trial in Jefferson County for five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, after his herd was seized by the sheriff's office. Senior reporter Suzanne Hobbs just returned from Rigby and has more on day two of the trial.

Judge Michael Kennedy listened to all the evidence and closing arguments just wrapped up. The judge is expected to make his decision tonight.

In February, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was called to investigate a case of animal neglect in the Mud Lake area of the county. Sheriff Blair Olsen says he found several dozen dead carcasses. It's estimated that 231 sheep from the herd are dead or missing. The sheriff also saw that ewes were aborting their lambs from lack of food and water, and also from stress.

One deputy testified today that the herd did not look healthy in the freezing wintertime conditions.

Dick Burke took the stand. He said he hired people to look after the herd of more than 1,500 sheep. He felt they were qualified to do the job. He also denies his sheep were underweight. But those he hired said they were left with little or no provisions to care for the animals.

If found guilty of the animal cruelty charges, Burke faces two and a half years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine.

Burke does have this herd back because he paid restitution and other fees totaling $15,000, and met the guidelines with the Idaho Sheep Commission.

As soon as we hear what the decision is, we'll let you know.