Rapid Valley Couple Sentenced to Jail for Neglecting Horses

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A western South Dakota couple convicted of neglecting horses last winter have been sentenced to jail.

Don Harwood was given a five-year term and his wife, Terri, a one-year term. They each will be on probation for several years after their jail time.

Magistrate Judge Shawn Pahlke gave Don Harwood a lengthier jail term because he did not cooperate with a presentence investigation and because of his criminal record, which includes drug and driving under the influence convictions.

Law officers in January seized 69 horses at the Harwoods' Rapid Valley home. Authorities say the horses did not have food or water. A jury in August convicted the Harwoods on nine counts each of inhumane treatment of an animal.

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