It took jurors barely four hours of deliberation to find Bona guilty of 17 counts, while deciding he was not guilty on 4 other counts of cruelty
Judge Robert Bent said sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.
Bona, 64, who represented himself at trial, now faces a possible one-year prison sentence and a $1,000 fine on each of the 17 convictions.
Yeah, no. I love how the media always tells us what an animal abuser COULD BE FACING -- "he faces a year in prison". Rarely does anyone EVER go to jail for abusing animals. Even people who purposely kill animals get probation most of the time.
He made no comment following the verdict but did ask the court to poll the jury. Each juror then responded individually and told the court they agreed with the verdict announced by the jury foreman.
Caledonia County State's Attorney Lisa Warren said she was happy with the outcome.
"We feel the jury did its job and we're pleased with the verdict," said Warren.
The 21 counts represented allegations of neglect - including dehydration, hunger and inadequate care - of 21 horses at Bona's ranch at 792 Back Center Road in Lyndon.
Authorities say some of the horses were reportedly near death and were standing in over a foot of manure. At least three horses were found dead on the property, covered up with debris, including grain bags.
When questioned about the condition of the animals, Bona reportedly told police "the animals appeared in fine shape" and that "he has been in the horse industry for over 40 years."
Bona's wife, Shari, was not been charged - but police said she was also aware of the needs of the horses.
Two of the four not guilty verdicts came on horses for which the state did not provide pictures.
Bona was convicted but he did not go down without a fight.
During his closing arguments he continued his criticism of veterinarian Dr. Craig Shannon and his defense theory that he had been set-up by Shannon - who formerly provided vet services to his ranch - and humane society workers who took part in the seizure of the 21 horses from his farm in March.
Bona suggested to the jury the humane society workers - like Shannon - held grudges against him and stood around Shannon as he inspected the horses in March and manipulated the vet into giving the horses low body condition scores.
"He inspected the horses surrounded by fanatics... from the cruelty people," said Bona. "These people are dedicated, overzealous people that are trained professionals. They know how to manipulate people. How to set 'em up. How to embellish their feelings and their testimonies...and they're very convincing."
Warren told the jury in her closing argument that there was no conspiracy and that the testimony by several witnesses showed the horses had been neglected.
Warren also told the jury the case was not about personalities but about the neglect of animals some of which were estimated to be 200 pounds or more under weight with ribs and hip bones showing.
"These horses were not in great shape," said Warren. "They were suffering. It's not about grudges. it's not about being tricked."
Bona also claimed Shannon had filled out the body score reports on the horses improperly by listing just the overall score instead of listing scores by body part.
"The facts are that the veterinarian examined those horses... he was the only one there with medical knowledge, education and that he admitted on the witness stand that he took a shortcut," said Bona. "By not using the formula that's on the form the defense contends the score is inaccurate."
However Warren had presented testimony on Wednesday from the scribe that assisted Shannon that the forms could be filled out either way. Shannon testified he used the overall score to save time because there were so many horses that needed to examined before being removed from the farm.
Bona had also argued that the pictures of the horses provided by the state had been posed by humane society workers to "portray them as being in worse condition than they actually were".
Bona also explained during his closing argument why he chose to represent himself at trial without the aid of a trained defense attorney.
"I wanted to represent myself because I didn't want to sit there while someone else used words that weren't mine," said Bona. "I wanted you to hear my words."
(Caledonian-Record - Nov 21, 2014)
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