In the civil case involving a Hutchinson area woman convicted for two counts of animal cruelty, Reno County was granted a permanent injunction against her.
Although Judge Tim Chambers acknowledged that the order given as a condition of probation that Linda Sue Adams not have any horses for one year carry’s a little more weight then the civil case, and believes that the probation will probably be extended because of the amount of restitution that will have to be paid to the county. The 61-year-old woman will have to pay the county restitution for the care of horses they seized from her.
Judge Tim Chambers did indicate that Adams at the end of the probation can come back to the court and ask for the injunction be set aside, that is, if she can show good cause why she should be allowed to have horses again, however county officials would be allowed to argue against it.
Adams was sentenced to 12-months probation, on a 12-month sentence in the two cases involving cruelty to animals which involved the lack of care of horses in what the state called “on going” conduct since 2009.
Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen set a hearing for September 25 to see if the two sides can come up with a dollar amount on the restitution. County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan believes it could be several thousand dollars, but the exact amount is yet to be determined.
It all came to a head back in April when three dead horses were found on the property and 10 others were said to be starving. The three dead horses were found in various stages of decomposition and others where you could see their rib bones. Once seized and given food, they immediately started to gain weight.
The other cases against Adams occurred in 2009 and 2011. The state had dropped the 2009 case, then refiled it, but with the plea, dropped it again.
Adams also on community corrections for an aggravated burglary conviction from 2009.