Good Pleads Not Guilty to Animal Cruelty

Dennis Good has been charged with one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and today he made his first appearance in court.

He pleaded not guilty.

The Natrona County Sheriff's Office says they received an anonymous tip at around 11am Monday, May 4th, regarding a horse being dragged by a truck on Bates Creek Lane.

Good told deputies that he was separating his mare from its colt, because of feeding issues, so he tied her to his truck to walk her to a neighbor's home.

While he was leading the horse in his pickup truck, there were times when the horse would plant it's feet, sit down and eventually break the halters.

He added when that happened, he would immediately stop his truck and did not drag the horse, but said "sometimes a person has to do what a person has to do to get the job done."

Investigators found dried blood on the chain and lead rope.

Evidence on the ground showed that the horse was dragged for 214 feet, and the drag marks were consistent with a horse planting its feet in the ground, while something pulled the horse forward.

Several pools of blood were found along the trial and various injuries were also found on the horse, particularly on the hind legs.

Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $750 fine, or both.

Good is free on a $500 personal recognizance bond. The trial date has not been set.