Pit Bull Owner Gets Jail Time After Dogs Kill Arabian Horse
30 Days and $21,951 in Restitution After Terrible CrimeLivingston, MI - David Clyde McGalliard, whose pit bulls mauled a neighbor's horse in January, was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was also ordered to pay $21,951 in restitution, two years probation, community service at the county animal shelter and substance abuse counseling. He is prohibited from owning pets during his probation.
"You are terribly lucky that this was not a human being," Judge Carol Sue Reader said. "The trauma is the same (for the victims). Our animals are our family members."
McGalliard pleaded no contest in an agreement with prosecutors last month on five misdemeanor charges: two counts of allowing animals to stray and three counts of having unlicensed dogs. His two pit bulls left his property and viciously attacked a 25-year-old Arabian mare inside its stall. A sheriff deputy arrived and shot both dogs. The horse had to be euthanized due to its injuries.
The horse's owner Kara Sepulveda spoke briefly to the court saying she would never be able to erase the memory of what she saw that morning. "I'm happy (McGalliard) showed remorse this time," said Kara. "I don't think he was at the last hearing." The restitution was welcomed, however, she called her mare "irreplaceable, the matriarch of our farm."
Related article:01/31/08:
Arabian Horse Euthanized After Pit Bull AttackLabels: Horse Attack
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