JACKSON HOLE, WYO – A Teton County Deputy Sheriff today issued a citation to Forrest Stearns for cruelty to animals—a misdemeanor in the state of Wyoming.
The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, August 8, when Stearns was videotaped walking around a mare he had tied out to the ground. That horse eventually died.
After interviewing a key witness to the incident today, Deputy Doug Raffelson felt confident in issuing the citation. The witness was able to provide credible evidence that the horse was tied to the ground for a minimum of three hours. Prior to receiving this statement, investigators did not believe there was enough substantiation of evidence to warrant the citation.
The witness had left the area for a backpacking trip shortly after the incident and was available only today for interview.
Stearns was issued the citation today and given a court date of August 31, 2017.
A necropsy performed on the horse indicated it had died from an overdose of tranquilizer, given to calm it for shoeing.
The case will be forwarded to the Teton County and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the possible filing of the charges.
