PRESS RELEASE

New Orleans Man Found Guilty of 10 Counts
Of Animal Cruelty in February 2007 Horse Case:

LA/SPCA Now Focused on Ensuring Horses Find Better Homes

NEW ORLEANS (12/21/07) – Ten months following the arrest of Dave Williams on cruelty to animals in a case involving multiple horses, Williams was found guilty on 10 counts of simple cruelty yesterday in New Orleans Criminal Court. In yesterday’s ruling, Williams, 11514 Willow Drive (Algiers), was sentenced to a six- months suspended sentence, 40 hours of community service, and only a $600 fine. Williams was facing a total of 23 counts of simple cruelty, but was only found guilty on 10 of the 23 counts.

On January 10, 2008, the court will rule in a bond hearing to determine who the horses can be returned to for their continued care. Since the February 2007 arrest, the horses have been cared for at the Rescue Ranch as well as another custodian located out of Orleans Parish, under the direction and costs of the LA/SPCA. To date, the LA/SPCA has spent over $112,000 on the care of the horses.

Kathryn Destreza, Director of Humane Law Enforcement for the LA/SPCA, said her team was extremely disheartened by yesterday’s ruling, but is hopeful that the upcoming January hearing will ensure that the horses will not be returned to the dismal situation that they were found in last year. “We’re hopeful that these horses will be allowed to find better homes where they can receive the highest standards of daily care that these animals require and deserve.”

When LA/SPCA arrived on the scene last year they found two deceased and several emaciated horses on the property owned by Williams. The horses did not have access to water, food, or hay. One water trough existed with ¼ inch of moldy water lining its bottom, and the pastures were inches thick with mud. Most of the horses living in barns were also forced to live in filthy stalls.

Destreza said that the most important step in this case is to make sure that justice is served in the long-term for the surviving horses. “We owe it to them to make sure that their future home or homes provide proper care and compassion.”

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The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the homelessness, neglect and abuse that signal animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the highest standards of care and compassion.

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