A Billings woman has admitted to a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge for trying to neuter a dog with string and a rubber band.
Jessica Gorman, 28, pleaded guilty to the charge in Billings Municipal Court on June 30. She was ordered to serve a six-month suspended jail sentence and pay restitution totaling $771 to the cityof Billings and the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.
Rocky as he was in April, about 10 days after a botched neutering attempt by Jessica Gorman. The Billings woman has admitted to a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals. Rocky has since been adopted to a new home from the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.
Gorman was also told that part of her sentence included a prohibition against acquiring any new pets, according to court records.
The case against Gorman began April 17, when a woman brought a badly injured 2-year-old pitbull mix to Moore Lane Veterinary Hospital and said she found the dog in her yard.
Officials said it appeared someone had tried to neuter the dog using a rubber band, string or both. The dog, later named Rocky by staff at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, underwent two surgeries to repair the damage.
An investigation by a Billings Animal Control officer resulted in the misdemeanor charge against Gorman. The charge alleged that Gorman attempted to neuter the dog on April 11.
Gorman denied the charge at arraignment in May, and a trial had been scheduled for this week.
Rocky’s plight drew widespread media coverage and resulted in a number of offers from people wanting to adopt the dog, said Chris Anderson, executive director at the shelter.
Rocky was adopted on June 6 by a woman who lives in another state and who had followed the case in the media, Anderson said. The woman drove to Billings and met with Rocky and the shelter staff, who determined the woman was the best match for Rocky, she said.
At last word, Rocky is doing “superb” in his new home, Anderson said.
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