Tarry L. Smithey, 52, was sentenced last week to three years probation after pleading guilty in Jackson County Circuit Court to five counts of misdemeanor animal mistreatment.
Tarry and his wife, Renee A. Smithey, 59, were charged in November after authorities rescued 67 animals in various stages of neglect from the barn in which they were living with the animals, according to court records.
The dogs, horses, mules, cats, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, duck and a pig had been receiving little to no water, and many of the animals were kept in small cages or tied to walls, according to the criminal complaints.
A section of the barn was used as a living space. Other portions had manure so high that animals’ backs were nearly touching the ceiling. The structure had no indoor plumbing but housed satellite television, a computer and a bed where the Smitheys slept, according to the complaints.
Judge Thomas Lister formally ordered Tarry to surrender all animals with the exception of two adult mules and his wife’s choice of two adult dogs. He also was ordered to immediately take steps to correct the “deplorable sanitary conditions” in and around the property, according to online court records.
[I'm fairly certain that the mules that were given back to him are seen in his Facebook photo below.]
The home initially was placarded by the Jackson County Public Health Department when authorities found the conditions to be hazardous. However, Tarry and Renee quickly met requirements for correcting the sanitation issues at the residence, health and human services interim director Chris Hovell said.
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| Tarry Smithey's Facebook site says he's now separated from his wife and living in Akron, Colorado. This photo was added March 14, 2012. |
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| Tarry Smithey added this photo to his Facebook page on July 13, 2011. |
Lister also sentenced Tarry Smithey to pay $1,215 in court costs and other fees.
Renee Smithey is set to appear in court for a plea and sentencing hearing April 16.
(Jackson County Chronicle - March 22, 2012)
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