In Juneau Superior Court, Diane Fairbanks , 38, was found guilty of disorderly conduct stemming from an offense of Dec. 15. Froehlich suspended imposition of sentence and placed her on probation for two years. She was to forfeit her horse to the City and Borough of Juneau. The family was not to own large animals including horses for two years. She was ordered to pay restitution of $486.53. A charge of cruelty to animals was dismissed.

Update 1/8/02:  A neglected, one-eyed horse no one wanted to care for is rallying to health and looking for a new home this week following a District Court decision against its former owner.

The horse was taken away from Juneau resident Diane Fairbanks on the grounds she abandoned the 25-year-old mare named Cinnamon. Animal control officers found the horse at a Back Loop Road stable Dec. 14, according to court documents.

Zach Falcon, attorney for Fairbanks, declined to comment on Cinnamon's treatment.

Fairbanks was arraigned on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, but pleaded guilty in Juneau District Court last week to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which includes causing danger or injury.

Animal control officers were dispatched to the stable on a tip that the horse was not being fed, said Wayne Lyons, director of the animal control unit of the Gastineau Humane Society. Officers found Cinnamon looking "emaciated" and her stall piled high with manure. Lyons said they attempted to contact Fairbanks but got no response.

Animal control impounded Cinnamon 24 hours later. She had been unfed for more than 80 hours, Lyons said.

"Unless the horse is dying we can't give it food, or else we have to start the investigation process all over again," he said. "So we couldn't care for her until we impounded her."  Though neglected, Cinnamon did not appear to be an abused horse, Lyons said.

Lyons added there was another horse at the stables who also "wasn't in the best condition." The horse's owner was contacted and no charges were filed. The owner of the stable was not brought up on charges either, since he is not responsible for the care of the animals and is not obligated to report any mistreatment.

According to court records, Fairbanks said she tried to find other shelter for the horse in Juneau but "no one would take her, no one wanted her."

Attorney for the city Robin Carlisle said the plea was offered in order to speed the case because there was a potential buyer for the horse in Haines.

District Judge Peter Froehlich suspended imposition of Fairbanks' sentence and placed her on probation for two years provided she commits no crimes, forfeits the horse to the city, does not own any large animals including horses and pays $486 for the cost of boarding Cinnamon.

Lyons would not disclose the location of the horse but said she is improving and is on a regular feeding schedule. He also said the Humane Society is accepting feed donations and is still looking for someone to buy Cinnamon because there have been no firm offers made.

"She's improving so now we just need to find her a good home," he said. "She's a real good girl. And any help we can get with her would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone wishing to make donations can call the humane society at (907) 789-0260.

Update 1/9/02:  When animal control officials rescued Cinnamon in December, the horse was an emaciated, unwanted, one-eyed, 25-year-old oddity standing in a manure-filled stall.

People heard of her story through the news media. For a while, everyone wanted Cinnamon. Offers from animal rescue leagues and animal lovers poured in to the Gastineau Humane Society, where Cinnamon was kept. Recently, offers have dwindled and the cost of Cinnamon's care is mounting. Humane Society officials said they may be unable to keep the mare much longer.

"If we can't adopt her out, we'd have to euthanize her," said Gastineau Humane Society Executive Director Chava Lee. "But as long as the donations keep coming in, that is not even a part of the equation."

Cinnamon was in poor health and spirits, Lee said. She couldn't run anymore. Her coat was matted and had long since lost its shine. She was an old, cranky horse.

Dozens of concerned residents came forward to help feed and care for Cinnamon, Lee said. Local stable owners donated a clean, warm stall for her to stay in while the Humane Society searched for a permanent home for the horse.

More than 20 volunteers from the community still offer their time each week to feed and groom Cinnamon and clean out her stall, Lee said. Even more people wanted to help, she said, and the Humane Society had to start turning people away.

"She's just as sweet as can be," Lee said. "She's gained weight and is much stronger and healthier than she was. Even her coat's shinier. She likes it when the volunteers come to visit her. She's just a sweet old horse."

Cinnamon's plight reached the Lower 48, spurring offers from nine animal rescue leagues that wanted Cinnamon, Lee said. But none of the nonprofits could afford the cost of shipping a horse from Alaska. Horse owners can adopt her, Lee said, but most want a horse they can ride.

Though Cinnamon's care and lodging has been donated by local residents, the cost of keeping Cinnamon indefinitely is more than the Humane Society can bear, Lee said. The Humane Society needs money for hay, Cinnamon's food, which is a specialized senior mash formula, and worming medications, Lee said.

But Cinnamon still has some options, and the Humane Society still hopes to find her a permanent home or caregiver, she said.

Reference:

Juneau Empire

Anchorage Daily News