Sammy “Dale” Boyd entered a guilty plea on Thursday, May 16 on 26 counts of cruelty to animals, second degree. The case stemmed from 26 dogs taken from the Olmstead home of Boyd and his girlfriend Leslie Johnson two months ago.
Boyd received 12 months jail (30 days to serve) and a $300 reimbursement to the Logan County Humane Society. Conditions of probation include no illegal activity and a prohibition against owning dogs.
The Logan County Humane Society contacted authorities after receiving a tip telling of a home on Kenny Stratton Road in Olmstead that appeared to house numerous dogs looking as if they were starving. Animal Control Officer Travis Kodiak responded to the complaint at the residence of Boyd and Johnson. When Kodiak arrived at the residence, he saw several dogs that look malnourished on the outside of the home, and could also tell there were several dogs barking on the inside of the home. He could not, however, get anyone to come to the door, so he returned later with a sheriff’s deputy, only to find the front door had been padlocked. The sheriff’s department contacted Boyd and returned to the residence a day later to take the dogs.
Boyd claims he had been feeding the dogs everyday, but that he and his girlfriend both work. He said dogs lose weight in the winter time and get fatter in the summer. Boyd surrendered part of the dogs soon after they were taken, but expressed his desire to keep some of them. He ended up surrendering all during his arraignment.
Johnson, who was also charged with 26 counts of cruelty to animals, second degree, is currently set for trial June 5 at 8:30 a.m.
“There were three main factors I considered when discussing a resolution in this case,” said County Attorney Joe Ross, who prosecuted the case. “First, was the care and well being of the 26 dogs seized from Mr. Boyd’s property. This issue was resolved at the arraignment, when the dogs were forfeited to the humane society by agreement. The other two factors considered were an adequate punishment, while also trying to prevent future instances of this type. The latter of these, could only be accomplished through a probation agreement, in which the parties agree that Boyd could not own any dogs. With a jury trial or a straight sentence, no such conditions would be available upon release. With these three factors in mind, I believe the best overall resolution was reached in this case.”
Because Ms. Johnson’s case is currently pending, Ross must hold any further comment about her until the conclusion of her case.
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