A Ravalli County jury has found two Georgia men accused of animal cruelty guilty on all 21 misdemeanor counts.
The jury convicted Craig Heydon and Curtis Heydon of neglecting horses on a packing trip through the Bitterroot last summer.
Craig Heydon, 71, was sentenced to 10 months in jail and fined $5,800 while his son Curtis was sentenced to 11 months in jail and fined $6,400.
Both men were also ordered to forfeit ownership of the horses to the humane society and pay all restitution.
But after the verdict, the defense appealed the decision and the case will now head to Ravalli County District court in about a month.
Both men remain free on bond pending the new trial.
(from January 30, 2009)
A Hamilton jury has found a pair of Georgia men guilty on all 21 counts filed in a Ravalli County horse abuse case.
The verdict came down early Friday afternoon and was immediately appealed by defense lawyers for Craig Hayden, 71, and his son, 37-year-old Curtis Hayden.
A Ravalli County court official says that another hearing will now need to be held, but there's no word yet on when that will happen.
Four malnourished and abused horses had to be rescued in Ravalli County has last summer after hikers found one of them lying on the Big Creek Trail.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula with information from Irina Cates
A jury in Hamilton has still not reached a verdict in the case of two Georgia men who are accused of mistreating horses last summer.
The three day trial concluded Thursday afternoon around 5:00 and jurors are now discussing the case.
Craig Hayden, 71, and his son, 37-year-old Curtis Hayden have been accused of mistreating four horses on a packing trip through the Bitterroot wilderness.
Craig Hayden took the stand Thursday and said that he bought the horses in trim condition, showing this in his pictures he took on his trip.
But, local veterinarians told attorneys that the horses were deprived of adequate food and water during the trip.
Hayden also told the jury he took full responsibility for the four horses on their pack trip, and that he is an animal lover, taking pictures of the horses to remember their trip in Montana.
Curtis Hayden faces 11 misdemeanor animal abuse charges while his father is charged with 10 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse.
Jury deliberations are set to continue on Friday.
(from January 29, 2009)
A jury is deliberating right now in a horse abuse case in Hamilton.
Thursday, the defendants in the case took the stand to speak about the accusations of animal cruelty brought against them.
Defendant Craig Hayden, 71, testified Thursday that he never abused the horses in any way. To back up his claims, the defense showed the jury pictures that Craig and his son Curtis, 37, who is also facing charges, took while packing through the Bitterroot Wilderness with their four horses.
Hayden told the court he bought the horses in trim condition showing this in his pictures, but on a previous day in court local vets told attorneys the horses were deprived of adequate food and water during the trip.
"I never deprived them of anything," Craig Hayden said.
Judge Jim Bailey asked the council to differentiate between the four horses, because In August two female riders found Hayden's horse, a 13-year-old Bay, laying injured along the big Creek trail. Days later the other three horses were confiscated from the father and son and renamed.
"There was nothing different or much different about the weight and condition of the horse the time we purchased them," said Hayden.
During cross examination, Ravalli County Prosecutor John Bell declared in court "the whole reason we are here is the condition of the horses, and somebody thinking they were in great shape."
Hayden told the jury he took full responsibility for the four horses on their pack trip and he is an animal lover, taking pictures of the horses to remember their trip in Montana.
(From Jan. 28, 2009)
A trial is underway in Hamilton where a man and his son are accused of mistreating three horses and abandoning another horse along a trail this past summer.
The courtroom was packed as the horse abuse trial continued Wednesday, with the jury hearing from state's witnesses, a forest service Ranger, a Bitterroot Humane Association worker and a Ravalli County veterinarian with 42 years of experience are just a few.
Craig Hayden, 71, and his Curtis, 37, both from Georgia, face numerous counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Three of the rescued horses were seized from the Hayden's after two women found a fourth horse abandoned and barely alive on the Big Creek Trail in August.
A US Forest Service ranger told the courtroom he met with the Hayden's in June of 2008 near the Big Creek trailhead, but he says the horses never looked mistreated or burdened by the pack trip, however when veterinarian Robert Brophy took the stand, he told the jury the horses were malnourished and over worked.
"I have seen injuries like this before and I have seen animals debilitated like this but I was most impressed that I have never seen that combination ever before in this same group of horse."
The defense called upon their witnesses for the case later in the afternoon Wednesday. The trial will continue Thursday with more testimony.
(from the archives)
Animal lovers throughout the Bitterroot gathered in Hamilton on Saturday to take a stand against Animal abuse and neglect.
Around six weeks ago, hikers found a handful of horses neglected and barely alive on the Big Creek Trail.
They named the most fragile horse "Able" because he was able to walk out alive and on Saturday they gathered for an auction to raise money for abused horses and to encourage Ravalli County officials to staff an animal control officer.
It's predicted that nearly 80,000 horses will be abandoned in the next six months throughout the United States, and organizers say caring people in the Bitterroot are doing their part to stop that from happening locally.
"All of these people are willing to step up to the plate for these voiceless animals and I think the community as a whole has shown compassion that we simply won't tolerate animals being abused in this way" said organizer Theresa Manzella. "This is an extreme case of animal abuse, and it's just not acceptable."
Organizers told us that Able has made an incredible recovery with the help of generous community members. They say that he's fat, and his eyes are healing from surgery.
(from October 9, 2008)
The Bitterroot Humane Society has taken in more than a dozen abused horses since August, and on Saturday, October 11th, the community will be able to do its part to get the animals back on their feet.
The proceeds from the Able Days auction will help the 14 neglected horses in custody and will also provide a way for pet owners to vaccinate their dogs with the rabies shot and pay the $10 yearly licensing fee.
Organizers say the fee supports the salary for Ravalli County's Animal Control Officer, which is a necessary position due to the increase in animal neglect cases.
"We're anticipating more horses voluntarily relinquished due to the price of hay, fuel, and grain and this rough economy" explained auction organizer Theresa Manzella. "We are gearing up for even more horses, and trying to start a program to help those people and animals."
The auction has been named after Able, the horse who continues to recover after he was found barely alive on the Big Creek Trail about one month ago.
The preview for the Able Days action starts on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds.
Also, those wanting to donate household items or professional services to be auctioned off can do so at the Hamilton Quality Supply or at Lakeland Feeds.
(from the archives)
Four malnourished and abused horses had to be rescued in Ravalli County has last month after hikers found one of them lying on the Big Creek Trail.
The horses are gradually improving, but what remains uncertain is if they can make a full recovery.
Staff at the Bitterroot Humane Association are still putting in countless hours to give the horses the medicine and care they need to heal internal and external wounds.
The horses are growing stronger, healthier and happier, with each passing day. Able the horse, who was found barely alive on the Big Creek Trail, is getting new shoes.
Along with Able, there is Diamond, Magic and Casino, all of whom were rescued and brought to the Bitterroot Humane Association where recovery is ongoing. Able and Diamond were found in the worst shape, and eye problems.
The horses are also doing some emotional healing thanks to Bitterroot Humane Association volunteers like Jenny Wiggen, "I feel it's an honor and privilege to be able to be with these animals".
There are hopes that the four animals will be adopted to home where they can get the care and love they deserve.
Few of the regular animal shelters in Montana will take in, and care for horses, and most don't have those resources to do so.
The Bitterroot Humane Association will take in horses, though were told that it's becoming increasingly hard for them to do so.
(from the archives)
The two men who are accused of "cruelty to animals" have entered not guilty pleas in Ravalli County Justice Court.
Craig Heydon, 71, and Curtis Heydon, 37, are facing four misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
Charging documents say that four horses were found overworked, neglected and mal-nourished.
Officials with the Ravalli County Sheriff's Department say that one of the horses was found lying on the Big Creek Trail.
(from August 7, 2008)
Two men are facing Cruelty to Animals charges in Ravalli County after deputies found neglected and malnourished horses.
Craig Heydon, 71, and Curtis Heydon, 37, are facing misdemeanor charges.
The Ravalli Sheriff's Department says that hikers found a horse lying on the Big Creek Trail last week.
The hikers brought the horse down and reported the incident. Upon investigation the owners said they left the horse up there because it was being stubborn.
During an investigation, deputies found three more horses near Stevensville who were mal-nourished.
Those horses were turned over to the animal shelter and it's now up to the courts to decide if the animals will be returned to the owners.
