In February, a delivery driver found an emaciated Pit Bull
that was left outdoors in freezing temperatures without food or water. He
took the dog and brought it to the county animal shelter. Further investigation
by authorities found a black German Shepherd-mix, its eyes bulging, frozen
to the ground; a Dalmation, half its normal weight and barely a lived was
tied to a pole, unable to reach shelter, food or a frozen water dish; and
a tan German Shepherd-mix about 20 pounds underweight, running loose. The
animals had to be euthanized because they were too weak to fight a virus.
On Wednesday, August 3rd, Rockford District Judge
Steven Servaas who jailed Dawn Postma after he found her guilty of four misdemeanor
animal cruelty charges, sentenced Postma to a maximum, 93 days in jail, but
stated she could be released in 45 days – the remainder suspended if she avoids
further trouble. He also gave her two years probation and she cannot own
any animals. Judge Servaas told Postma’s husband James, that he should sell
two horses at the couple’s home on Fruit Ridge Avenue NW.
After a two-day trial, Judge Servaas convicted Postma of four
counts of failing to provide an animal adequate care. He stated the poor
condition of the dogs did not happy overnight. Judge Servaas also stated that
to him, it was significant because they apparently allegedly forgot or neglected
the fact that they had a tied-up dog that just could not go anywhere. He
further stated that it was pretty significant when you talk about a dog, out
in February with no shelter, food or water.
An animal-control worker who found the dead dog and two still
alive, reported that the only shelter was a plywood lean-to and a bale of
hay.