GOLDEN, Colo.—A Jefferson County rancher investigated for animal abuse over the past three years has pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
John McCulley Jr. of Arvada could receive up to 18 months in jail on each of the counts in the case from 2007.
Authorities say they found 27 horses and a potbellied pig on his ranch that appeared to be malnourished and mistreated. Jefferson County district attorney’s spokeswoman Pam Russell says McCulley was given a warning, but the horses were later seized.
McCulley still faces a felony aggravated cruelty charge stemming from an investigation into his treatment of 17 horses that were seized by authorities in May.
He will be sentenced for the misdemeanor charges Oct. 16 in Jefferson County Court.
———
Information from: The Denver Post,
