Written by Tracie Sullivan
The courtroom was filled on Monday, March 30, when Enoch resident Sonn Kent Berrett pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from a 2014 incident where an 18-month-old filly died after being found malnourished and frozen to the ground. Berrett was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail.
The incident began after Enoch Animal Control officers responded to a phone call from a concerned citizen alleging two horses were being neglected. When authorities arrived on the scene, they said they were shocked by what they found.
Enoch Animal Control Officer Chris Johnson found the young horse, Elsa, lying on her side frozen to the ground and unable to stand. She was also starving. At the time, Johnson said it was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she had seen in nearly a decade in her position. Elsa’s mother, Anna, while still standing, was also reportedly malnourished. Rescuers took both horses to Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary for care. Elsa died within the first two weeks of being rescued.
In a previously arranged plea agreement between the Iron County Attorney’s Office and Berrett, the defendant agreed to plead guilty to the two counts of animal cruelty, both class B misdemeanors, and in exchange, the state would dismiss four additional charges, including two counts of failure to vaccinate and two counts of failure to license an animal.
Berrett, who waived his right to an attorney, will serve his 30-day sentence on weekends, beginning April 11. This arrangement was established in order to maintain Berrett’s employment at Southern Utah University.
“If you came here unemployed, you could just serve the 30 days straight,” Justice Court Judge Margaret Miller said. “It would be impossible for you to pay your fines and restitution that will go along with this case if you lose your job.”
Miller left the restitution open in the case and ordered Berrett to pay a fine of $1,246. A hearing will be scheduled to determine what restitution will be ordered, but Johnson said Berrett’s restitution will include the veterinarian fees that were accrued taking care of Elsa and her mother, along with all of the costs associated with their rescue.
Berrett agreed to pay $200 a month until the balance is cleared. Payments will be applied first to the restitution, once that amount has been determined; then the fines will be addressed. Miller also ordered Berrett to relocate the two dogs and cat presently living with him, saying she did not feel he should have any animals in his custody.
Johnson told The Independent on Monday she was grateful the hearing was over.
“I’m happy that he was held accountable for his actions and that Elsa at least received some justice, in that he gets to pay for the costs of caring for her,” Johnson said.
