UNITED STATES-CATTLE CRUELTY CASE.
Boise-area rancher accused of abusing his cattle agreed to allow his cattle to be sold during a court hearing Wednesday, March 11.
Hermis E. Sparks, 73, is facing 10 misdemeanor charges revolving around Idaho’s animal cruelty laws.
The cattle are to be sold at a Nampa, Idaho, cattle auction March 14 and 21, if needed. Proceeds will be applied to costs for their care incurred by the Idaho Humane Society since the cattle were seized from Sparks’ farm in late January. The auction house will also collect a commission out of the sale price.
The balance of costs for their care will accrue to Sparks, said David Leroy, Boise attorney representing the defendant, during a stipulated agreement presented Wednesday in Ada County Magistrate Court.
Judge Theresa Gardunia accepted the stipulated agreement from the bench.
In the agreement, Sparks ceded possession and ownership of the cattle to the state and to pay reasonable costs for their care, Leroy said. Those costs may be disputed during the pending trial in the case.
Kelsey Bolen, prosecuting attorney, told the court the costs of caring for the cattle since they were seized has come to more than $34,000.
The cattle, about 250 head, are expected to bring about $90,000 and the auction commission will run about $3,000 to $4,000, Leroy said.
Under Idaho law, defendants in animal cruelty cases must post a bond to cover costs of caring for seized animals, or forfeit ownership.
Sparks was charged with four counts of permitting animals to go without care, one count of cruelty to animals and five counts of improper disposal of dead animal bodies, carcasses and body parts by the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. He previously entered a not guilty plea.
