Animal Neglect Reduced to Violation
Client CS was charged with animal neglect after a caretaker he owed money to called police and accused client of not providing proper care for his horse. Defense was able to show at trial that the horse died due to the caretaker’s neglect, and not that of the client. After the caretaker’s story was attacked on cross-examination by the defense, the State agreed to lower the offense to a violation (equivalent to a traffic ticket), and dismissed the criminal charge. CS was relieved since he was a responsible pet owner and was not forced to give up his pets for five years; this would have been a requirement under the law if he had been convicted of the criminal charge.