A Winona man will spend 60 days on house arrest for criminal neglect of four horses that were seized from his home on Stafford Wells Loop.
O.G. Johnson was charged with four counts of animal cruelty which stemmed from an incident that occurred Sunday, June 23. He was represented by Grenada attorney Neal Marlow.
In June, Arlin Pearson, Animal Control Officer with the City of Winona, said he, along with Doll Stanley with In Defense of Animals and the Winona Police Department, seized four horses from Johnson’s home. Pearson said the four horses, three mares and a foal, were removed from the property. He said the arrest was the result of week-long investigation with WPD and IDA.
He said two of the mares were pregnant, and one of the horses had to have a harness surgically removed from its face because it had become embedded into its flesh.
Johnson, who is in poor health, pled guilty to all counts, and Lancaster sentenced him to 24 months, six months for each count with 15 days to serve for each one, 60 days in total, to be served on house arrest. He will only be permitted to attend church and to go to his doctor appointments.
County Prosecutor Putt Crull said because Johnson has several life-threatening conditions, the city has no problem with Johnson being on house arrest.
“House arrest is not for you to lollygag about,” Lancaster warned. “People think house arrest is freedom. No, you’re still in jail, but you’re only in the confinements of your home. If you do not adhere to the rules, you will do all of your time in jail. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Johnson responded, seated from a chair with a cane in his hand.
Lancaster said Johnson will pay a $500 fine for each horse, totaling $2,000 and pay restitution totaling $4,200.
“How is he going to pay that since he’s ill?” Lancaster asked.
“He said he gets a check every month and he can pay $100 a month,” Crull said.
Doll Stanley with In Defense of Animals, Pearson, and equine veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Dunlap of Tennessee, who treated the horses, were present in the courtroom when the announcement came that Johnson was pleading guilty to all counts.
“I am pleased with the outcome of the case, and I hope it creates awareness about animal rights,” Pearson said.
“I think the judge’s decision was fair and we’re okay with it,” Stanley said.
