Conviction

In a state where people view horses as livestock and have pro-slaughter views, at least a few people saw the need to reprimand those that abuse and neglect horses.

From our local news:

Couple Convicted of Horse Neglect Near Rapid City

RAPID CITY, SD - 

Jurors in Rapid City took just over an hour to convict a couple of neglecting dozens of horses last winter.

Donald and Terri Harwood were found guilty Friday of nine counts each of inhumane treatment of an animal.

Deputies in January seized 69 horses at the Rapid Valley home. A prosecutor says the horses at times were left without hay or water, and some were thin and weak. A defense attorney argued the Harwoods were caring for the horses, and that skyrocketing hay prices and illness among the horses played a big role in the case.

The Harwoods owned about 30 of the animals and were boarding the rest.

The maximum punishment on each count is a year in jail and $2,000 fine.

Now my question is, what are the penalties that they will actually have to pay? Lives were lost and yet I expect the repurcusions will be minimal. $2,000 fine is not adequate in my eyes nor is one year in jail (which I expect if that were issues, they'd be able to get out after a few days). If I hear more, I'll let you know. I find it hard for people to not value a life more highly. It's sad what this world has become.