Post by Admin on Feb 4, 2007 2:31:07 GMT -5
Deputy charged with animal neglect
09:29 PM PST on Friday, February 2, 2007
By PAUL AKER / KING 5 News
OLYMPIA, Wash. - On the day the herd was seized by Thurston County deputies near Olympia a couple of weeks ago, volunteer Connie Patterson told KING 5 all of the horses were underweight and suffering from the cold weather.
KING
All of the horses were underweight and suffering from the cold weather.
"They're not in very good shape," she said.
So what kind of person allegedly neglects their animals this way?
Thurston County prosecutors say someone who should have known better – a deputy from another county.
"I would expect somebody who is trained in law enforcement would have training in what the law requires in terms of care for animals," said John Tunheim, Chief Deputy Prosecutor.
Video
Paul Aker has more on the animal cruelty charges
Prosecutors have now filed 22 counts of second-degree animal cruelty against Mason County Deputy Byron Baty and his girlfriend Corrienne Wiles.
Baty is a 9-year veteran with an otherwise clean record.
While Baty's superiors say he's been a good deputy, they can't ignore the allegations.
The sheriff's office has placed Baty on administrative leave and is doing its own investigation.
"Any time there's an allegation like this, whether sustained or not, it's a bit disconcerting," said Dean Byrd, Chief Deputy, Mason County Sheriff's Office.
While Baty is on paid administrative leave now, that's about to change. As of Monday, he'll be back working on limited duty pending the outcome of the charges.
The Mason County Sheriff's Office says Baty could face a range of disciplinary actions including termination. He has been on paid leave since the horses were seized.
09:29 PM PST on Friday, February 2, 2007
By PAUL AKER / KING 5 News
OLYMPIA, Wash. - On the day the herd was seized by Thurston County deputies near Olympia a couple of weeks ago, volunteer Connie Patterson told KING 5 all of the horses were underweight and suffering from the cold weather.
KING
All of the horses were underweight and suffering from the cold weather.
"They're not in very good shape," she said.
So what kind of person allegedly neglects their animals this way?
Thurston County prosecutors say someone who should have known better – a deputy from another county.
"I would expect somebody who is trained in law enforcement would have training in what the law requires in terms of care for animals," said John Tunheim, Chief Deputy Prosecutor.
Video
Paul Aker has more on the animal cruelty charges
Prosecutors have now filed 22 counts of second-degree animal cruelty against Mason County Deputy Byron Baty and his girlfriend Corrienne Wiles.
Baty is a 9-year veteran with an otherwise clean record.
While Baty's superiors say he's been a good deputy, they can't ignore the allegations.
The sheriff's office has placed Baty on administrative leave and is doing its own investigation.
"Any time there's an allegation like this, whether sustained or not, it's a bit disconcerting," said Dean Byrd, Chief Deputy, Mason County Sheriff's Office.
While Baty is on paid administrative leave now, that's about to change. As of Monday, he'll be back working on limited duty pending the outcome of the charges.
The Mason County Sheriff's Office says Baty could face a range of disciplinary actions including termination. He has been on paid leave since the horses were seized.