Plea deal reached in animal cruelty case
Prosecutors reached an agreement with George Savoy in the animal cruelty case charged against him for the death of at least 65 cows.
In the agreement signed on April 9, Savoy agrees to plead guilty to the felony county of aggravated animal cruelty and pay restitution.
County working to reach agreement in animal cruelty case
The specific terms include Savoy agreeing to assume all costs and care for the remaining herd and to transfer care and custody to his father Jim Savoy with an agreement to liquidate the cattle within six months of the agreement.
Savoy must provide proof of the agreement to the Cascade County Attorney’s Office within that timeframe.
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Pending the liquidation, Savoy agrees to allow the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and/or the Department of Livestock access to the cattle at least once per week for them to assess the condition of the herd, according to the agreement.
Savoy has also agreed to properly dispose of all the deceased cattle within two weeks at his own cost and agrees not to possess or otherwise assume responsibility to care for any new or additional cattle during the six year term of probation, according to the agreement.
Savoy also agrees to pay restitution to Cascade County for all costs and resources expended in caring for the cattle, according to the agreement.
Under the agreement, Savoy faces a six year deferred imposition of sentencing if he meets the conditions.
The agreement is contingent on Savoy not being arrested or charged with additional crimes and not violating the conditions of the agreement, otherwise the state can change its sentencing recommendations or refile the case, but Savoy cannot withdraw his guilty plea.
Since the prosecution reached an agreement with Savoy, the county’s pending contract with Levi Lee for the care of the cattle will be pulled from the County Commission’s April 14 agenda.
