Diane Silbaugh, 55, also pleaded guilty to grand theft and forgery, for stealing a horse from another woman and forging ownership papers.
She could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison for the theft and 12 months for forgery. Each of the 10 counts of cruelty carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
She has prior convictions for cruelty in Medina and Cuyahoga Falls.
Story posted March 3:
A Portage County woman accused of starving horses to death was tossed back in jail Friday, when a municipal judge said she violated his order to have no contact with horses.
Diane Silbaugh, 55, is now being held on $10,000 bond. She is charged with multiple counts of cruelty to animals.
Judge John J. Plough said the Brimfield Township woman must surrender more horses to the Animal Protective League and a farm sanctuary, after a sixth horse in her care died at her Never Rest Ranch on Old Forge Road.
More than 20 debilitated horses have been taken from her since Jan. 9, when an anonymous caller sent Brimfield Township police to the ranch.
Chief David Blough said there were five dead horses in a pasture and four more on the verge of starvation, which were confiscated. One of confiscated horses died within days. Tests showed they died of starvation and at least one died of salmonella poisoning from moldy food, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary founder Annette Fisher said.
Prosecutors told Judge Plough that Silbaugh tried to get around his order by subleasing her property to a friend. Horses that had previously disappeared then reappeared, prosecutors said, and on Feb. 26, Brimfield police again found them without food and water.
Silbaugh is due back in court March 12.
Happy Trails is asking for donations to help pay for veterinary care.
(Cleveland.com - March 20, 2008)
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