Couple Accused of Horse Neglect on Trial

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Rapid City couple is on trial for allegedly neglecting dozens of horses last winter.

Donald and Terri Harwood were charged with numerous counts of inhumane treatment of an animal after the Pennington County Sheriff's Office in January seized 69 horses owned by the couple or left in their care. The charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Prosecutor Megan Poppen says the horses at times were left without hay or water, and some were thin and weak. Defense attorney Connor Duffy says the Harwoods were taking action to care for the horses, and that skyrocketing hay prices and illness among the horses played a big role in the case.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.