Donald Genthner, the Rockland man charged with abusing horses on a Waldoboro farm last fall, pleaded guilty to five counts of misdemeanor animal abuse on Nov. 29 in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset.
The guilty plea is part of a deferred disposition. If Genthner fulfills specific requirements for two years, all but one of those pleas will be withdrawn, and Genthner will be convicted of one count of misdemeanor animal abuse. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 29, 2012.
That charge comes with a $500 fine and a lifetime prohibition on owning hoofed animals or caring for them without supervision.
Genthner was originally charged with 11 counts of animal abuse, including several felony charges. All the felony charges have been dismissed.
Genthner was charged after seven of 15 horses in his care were found dead in the fall of 2009. All of the remaining eight horses showed evidence of severe malnutrition. One horse was found in severe pain from malnutrition and an untreated leg problem.
The conditions of the deferred disposition stipulate that Genthner not commit any “crimes or violence or crimes of dishonesty” over the next two years, his attorney, Rick Rubin, told him before the hearing.
Traffic crimes, such as operating under the influence, and crimes involving use of illegal drugs will not affect the deferred disposition, Rubin said.
For two years, Genthner will also be held to his current bail conditions, which allow him to live with his family, who owns guinea pigs, turtles and cats, according to court documents filed earlier this year.
The bail conditions also allow Genthner to work with and transport animals as long as he is under the direct supervision of the animal’s owner.
Following the hearing, Rubin said that Genthner is remorseful and that the situation that lead to the death of several horses and severe malnutrition of several more was the result of “severe economic struggles and severe cold.”
Rubin continued that Genthner was “too proud and too self reliant” and “should have asked for help.”
Genthner said he was glad to have the matter resolved, “for my family’s sake.”