Four sentenced for animal cruelty

COEUR d'ALENE - Four people were sentenced to two years of probation in connection with a January seizure of more than 130 animals from an Athol home.

Shawna Denney-Land, 39, and her husband, Wayne Land, 45, were originally charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty, but in exchange for a guilty plea the couple was only charged with five counts. Denney-Land's parents, Norma Jean and John Denney, who were living in the Athol home at the time of the seizure, each pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty.

According to Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh, when Judge John Luster sentenced the two couples on May 29, he also ordered them to pay Kootenai County for the cost of the care and maintenance of the animals while they were housed at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

"These animals were at risk because of the terrible conditions in which they were housed," McHugh said. "Many of them were living in enclosures in their own feces and urine because of a lack of attention by their owners. Fortunately the quick action by the sheriff's department prevented the health of the animals from deteriorating."

As part of their plea agreement, Shawna and Wayne were allowed to pick 10 rabbits and six guinea pigs to keep from among the animals seized during the investigation. The Denneys forfeited all of their animals except two horses and the terms of their probation state that they are not allowed to have more than two horses, two chickens, and five dogs.

McHugh said the animals the court agreed to return to the two couples would only be returned "after they demonstrate the animals will be housed appropriately."

Animal control officers will also be able to check on the status of the animals at any time during the probation period.

McHugh would not release any information about the 8-year-old girl who was also removed during the January raid, since that case has been sealed.