BUTTE (AP)
A Butte woman who beat and abandoned a border collie puppy in a trash bin in December has been banned from ever owning, breeding or caring for animals. City Judge Steve Kambich imposed the ban against Loretta Brooks, 46, on Monday. He also sentenced her to a month in jail and ordered her to pay a $500 fine and $420 in restitution for the animal’s veterinarian bill. Brooks pleaded guilty last week to a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals. Court records say she beat and abandoned the 5-month-old border collie, who was later named Oscar, sometime around Dec. 10. The dog was found buried under garbage in a trash bin at a Butte trailer court. It had suffered a hard blow to the head and was taken to the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter, court documents said. After intense treatment, the dog survived and has been adopted by a Butte family. Oscar is now in great health, said Erin Wall, who manages the shelter. The case drew widespread attention and even prompted Gov. Brian Schweitzer to visit Oscar during a stop in Butte last month. Following the terms of a plea deal, Kambich sentenced Brooks to a year in jail with all but 30 days suspended. He also denied her the right to ever own or possess another animal. “If she’s ever caught with a dog in her arms, I’m going to sentence her to the maximum year in jail,” Kambich said. The judge said some may think Brooks’ sentence was too lenient but he had to consider the outcome of the case. “The fact is, Oscar survived,” he said. “The dog is loved, living with a new family, and is doing great.”
