MINNESOTA -- On Friday, May 1, 2009, the Judge sentenced Kathy Bauck on one count of animal torture (Count 5). This was a single criminal misdemeanor count of torturing a Mastiff (dog) between the dates of May 14 and May 24, 2008.
Bauck was sentenced to 90 days in jail for this count with 70 days stayed, with credit for 5 days already served. This means Bauck served 15 days in custody.
Judge Senyk also sentenced Bauck to:
• $1,000 fine; however, $500 was stayed so total fine was $500
• perform 80 hours of community work in her own community
• be placed on supervised probation for one year, concurrent with her prior probation. (Concurrent means "at the same time." Bauck's prior probation was due to practicing veterinary medicine without a license and was unsupervised for two years, which ended May 19, 2010. Bauck's supervised probation for cruelty charges ended May 1, 2010.)
• as long as Bauck is working with animals, she was to allow the Minnesota Humane Society or other agency (as recommended by the probation officer) to inspect the kennel without notice (as they determine necessary) and to allow inspection of the entire property — entry to all areas.
• not to have same or similar violations for one year.
• View: Sentencing Order
Following the sentence, there was a bit of confusion. Some people believed the court had ordered a humane society to inspect the facility. At the time of the verdict, Judge Senyk ordered that the USDA and the appropriate humane society be notified of the verdict. The State made the request to the court that inspections be allowed. It was agreed that the Minnesota Humane Society (there are multiple humane societies in Minnesota) conduct the inspections during the probation period.
NOTE: The court also had the ability to place further conditions and restrictions on the sentence. One condition could have been to seize the animals and/or to require that Bauck own no more animals for a certain period of time; however, these conditions were not made so Kathy Bauck was allowed to continue breeding, buying and selling dogs.
(Animal Folks MN - May 1, 2009)
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