Outfitter cited for alleged animal cruelty, case will go to a jury trial early January 2018

UPDATE: According to the Teton County, Wyoming Circuit Court, Forest Stearns’ attorney entered a motion to continue on the misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty Thursday.

The case will go to a jury trial in early January 2018.

ORIGINAL:

Wilson, Wyoming area outfitter Forrest Stearns has been cited for cruelty to animals. The charge is a misdemeanor in the State of Wyoming.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office said the case stemmed from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, August 8. Stearns was videotaped next to a horse he had tied to the ground. The horse eventually died.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a deputy interviewed a witness to the incident on Friday. That person left the area soon after the incident and went on a back-packing trip. He was not available for questioning until today.

Officers said the witness was able to provide credible evidence the horse was tied down for a minimum of three hours. Before that interview, investigators did not believe there was enough substantiation of evidence to warrant the citation.

Stearns was issued the misdemeanor citation and given a court date of August 31.

The case was forwarded to the Teton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for possible filing of charges.