Reedley woman who abused horses can’t own animals for 10 years
A Reedley-area horse owner was sentenced Monday to 16 months behind bars on animal-cruelty charges after authorities found two dead horses and 13 malnourished horses on her 36-acre ranch four years ago.
Because of time served in jail, Kathryn Lucille Jones, 55, has no time left on her sentence, said defense attorney Michael Elder, who represents Jones.
But as part of her sentence, Jones cannot own, possess or care for any animal for 10 years, Elder said.
In May 2012, the Central California Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found 15 horses on Jones’ ranch that were malnourished and neglected, with ribs showing and skin sagging, and were in serious need of hoof care and dental work. Two of the horses died before they could be removed.
Jones referred to the horses as her “kids” and some of them had been successful race horses.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Jones with 15 counts of felony animal cruelty because a complaint accused Jones of depriving the horses of proper food, water and shelter.
What she did was not intentional. She is truly sorry because she’s an animal lover.
Fresno defense attorney Michael Elder
In a plea agreement in February, Jones pleaded no contest to one felony count of animal cruelty. Prosecutors dismissed the remaining 14 charges.
Elder said Monday that Jones doesn’t dispute what happened to the horses, but said she was in the midst of a mental breakdown caused by a divorce and from losing her ranch.
At the time, Elder said, Jones was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but was not receiving medical treatment.
“She was totally unaware of what was happening in her life,” he said.
Court records show criminal proceedings were suspended in April 2015 when court officials called into question her competency to stand trial. She was then sent to a state hospital for treatment.
Elder said Jones is receiving treatment for her mental illness and finally understands what happened to her horses.
“What she did was not intentional,” Elder said. “She is truly sorry because she’s an animal lover.”
Pablo Lopez: 559-441-6434, @beecourts
This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Reedley woman who abused horses can’t own animals for 10 years."