Judge won’t reduce cruelty charges

A Colusa County judge has denied a defense motion to have felony animal cruelty charges against a Sutter Creek attorney reduced to misdemeanors.

John B. Allen Jr. is charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty stemming from two malnourished and dehydrated horses, one of them deceased, that were discovered July 27 on property near River and Laux roads. Allen was identified as the owner of the animals.

In denying the motion following Allen’s preliminary hearing, Judge John H. Tiernan compared the crime to leaving children unattended, only worse because animals are even more dependent on humans for their care.

Allen will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Dec. 10 in Colusa County Superior Court.

Pamela Craig, a Colusa district attorney investigator, said the deceased horse, a 16-year old brown, was reportedly seen alive about one hour prior to the arrival of investigators.

The animal’s mouth, nose, and tongue were dry and a “skin fold test” indicated dehydration and/or starvation. The deceased horse appeared emaciated and was observed to have protruding ribs and hips, Craig said.

The other horse, an 18-year-old female American paint, was seized by the DA’s office, and placed in the custody of a Mid-Valley equine veterinary technician. It has been responding well to treatment, officials said.

Allen told investigators the horses had about 300 gallons of water when he last checked them 22 days earlier on July 5, prior to his leaving town. The DA’s office reports that July temperatures ranged from the high 90s to more than 100 degrees.

Allen’s representatives could not be reached for comment Friday.

Robert Parsons is a reporter for the Colusa County Sun-Herald. He can be contacted at 458-2121 or by e-mail at rparsons@tcnpress.com